IN CASE OF AN ARREST: LOS ANGELES
If you can, write the number of a land line on your arm to call and communicate your needs from jail. Local cell numbers (depending on which jail you are in) might go through but outside area codes require an account with the jail phone system.
HOW TO SUPPORT PEOPLE ARRESTED:
I’m sorry your friend/ loved one/ comrade or peer was arrested by the police.
1. It will take approx. 2+ hours for the persyn to be booked and processed. This means having their information taken, fingerprints, photographs and sitting in a holding cell.
2. For Los Angeles call 213-473-6080 to speak with an operator, or visit the LASD website here: http://app4.lasd.org/iic/ajis_search.cfm You will need the first and last name of the person you are searching for. Date of birth would help too.
3. Once you find the person write down their booking number. Bail amount should be listed on the website. The site will list the type of charge (misdemeanor or felony) but not what charge so calling in is the best way to find out the charges. Note: The (Visitor: N) does not mean no visitors.
Things to ask the operator:
a) What are the charges?
b) Where are they being held and will they be transferred?
c) Will they be released on OR or when will they be going to court?
d) What are the visiting hours for the jail where they are held?
Note: The state can legally hold you for 72 hours before you can see a judge. Weekends and holidays do not count. Also, the police do not follow the law they have been known to release people without paperwork or info on their court date.
4. Once you know where they are being held you can begin to call the jail directly. Be aware that the police do lie which means the information they are giving you is not reliable. Call every few hours, or during major shift changes, to make sure the information is consistent and see whether the status has changed.
5. If you are receiving calls from someone who had been arrested, know that the jail phones are extremely unreliable and likely to disconnect. Most cellular phones only receive 1 collect call and then require you to set up an account with the jail phone system. Collect calls to a land line work best. It is 25$ to set up an account for your cell phone and best to set up a pin with the account so you can access it again.
6. For visitation: leave any questionable items at home or in your car. A “valid” ID is required for visitation. If possible document and report back any injuries the arrestee developed from the police or in custody. Note: If you have any recent previous arrests they could refuse to allow you visitation. If you have pending warrants it could be unsafe for you to try to visit.
Things to ask your friend (over the phone or during visitation):
Are you okay? Are you hurt? What do you need from me? Is there anyone you need me to contact for you? (to cancel appointments, notify employment, school, parents, roommates etc..) Do you want to be bailed out (fundraising usually required)?
Note: all calls are monitored and recorded. Do not talk about the case, who did what, or anything you would not want to hear in court. Also advise your friend not to talk about the specifics of the case to people inside with them. The police have been known to arrest undercover cops with people to get info while in jail. The police have also been known to manipulate cell mates into testifying against people. Don’t be paranoid but be safe.
Things for you to know:
Is it possible they will be cited and released?
If your friend is detained, and not yet arrested, they might be written a ticket and released if they agree to go to court at a later date.
What does it mean to be released on OR?
If the charge is minor it is possible they will arrest the person, book them, and “cite and release” them on OR without going through the OR office. OR stands for on your “own recognizance” which means you are taking responsibility for yourself and promise to come up court at a later date (not in custody). Sometimes the person arrested has to request release on OR and directions can be found on back of your jail receipt. Someone from the OR office will call someone on the outside to verify information the arrested person had provided to them, to show they are unlikely to flee if released from custody. This information includes previous employment records and former/present addresses. OR can also depend on what kind of charge, and again, is up to the discretion of law enforcement.
What happens if the person has a warrant?
It depends on the county – if the warrant is from a different county it might not come up in the system. However, they CAN transfer you to that county and court and you may be in jail longer. It also depends on the charge - if it’s a not paid metro ticket they could keep you a bit longer but you might get “time served” and your ticket will be resolved. If it’s something they consider more serious, they could make you go to court for your current charge and your past one, sometimes separately which will mean more time in custody.
What happens if the person is undocumented?
Contact the Immigrant Youth Coalition IYChttps://www.facebook.com/Immigrant.Youth.Coalition
Connect them to Immigrant Youth Coalitions Deportation Defense Coordination. Contact person is [email protected] . If they were released on OR then the risk is significantly decreased plus they fall under trust act and LA city no longer has an ICE hold policy. LAPD no longer runs ICE holds unless there is a judicial warrant. If there are any violations, please let the NLG know.
All of this information has been crowdsourced from experience. It is helpful to provide group support and communal care during court and even while people are being released from jail. Please make sure to eat, rest and check in with yourself. It may be helpful to create debrief and healing spaces for those who have been arrested or witnessed/experienced police brutality. Please know that physical wounds may heal and leave scars, but the emotional trauma of brutality can lurk and also leave scars that are less visible but just as important to care for. SOLIDARITY AND LOVE.
(id like to follow this up with notes on court support and jail solidarity, as well as more personal accounts of what it is like to be arrested)
