Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

The amount of time you stay in jail before bail depends on how quickly the court processes your arrest and sets a bond amount. In most cases, you’ll remain in jail anywhere from a few hours to a few days before you can post bail or appear before a judge. The exact timeline varies by the type of crime, the time of arrest, and local court procedures.

Typical Timeframe After Arrest

After you’re arrested, the process generally follows this timeline,

• Booking – After arrest, officers record your personal information, fingerprints, and photographs. This step usually takes a few hours.
• Bail setting – For minor offenses, bail may already be listed on a bond schedule, meaning you can post bail almost immediately after booking.
• First court appearance – For more serious crimes, you’ll have to wait for a judge to hold a bail hearing. This usually happens within 24 to 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).

If you’re arrested late on a Friday or during a holiday, you may have to wait until the next business day for a bail hearing. In some cases, this means staying in jail for 48 to 72 hours before bail can be posted.

Crimes That Affect How Long You Wait

The seriousness of your charge plays a major role in how long you stay in jail before bail.

• Misdemeanors – Usually processed quickly. Bail may be set immediately based on a schedule, allowing release within hours.
• Felonies – Often require a court hearing, which means waiting one or two days for the judge to decide on bail.
• No-bond or violent offenses – You must remain in custody until a judge decides if bail will be granted at all.

Posting Bail After It’s Set

Once bail is determined, you can get out of jail as soon as the payment is made. You can post a cash bond (paying the full amount to the court) or use a bail bondsman, who typically charges 10% of the total bail as a non-refundable fee. Release usually happens within a few hours after payment is processed.

When You Might Not Get Bail Right Away

In some cases, judges deny bail completely this is called a no-bond hold. This often happens for serious crimes like murder or if the person is considered a flight risk or public danger. In those situations, you stay in jail until a bond hearing or trial.

Most people stay in jail anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours before bail is set. Once the amount is determined, you can post bail immediately. Delays happen mainly with serious charges or if the arrest occurs outside regular court hours.