Monrovia Jail

Monrovia Jail is a city detention facility located within the Monrovia Police Department. Monrovia Jail is used for the confinement of arrestees for 72 hours or less.

Persons who are being held here are pending release, about to be transferred to a larger county jail, or awaiting his first appearance in court (arraignment).

Some of the detainees who are waiting to be released from Monrovia Jail are those that have posted bail. Defendants who are allowed to post bail may do so after the booking period.

Booking is the process of creating an official record of the person who has been arrested. It includes taking the arrestee’s fingerprints, photo, and medical condition among others.

Just like most jails within the County of Los Angeles, Monrovia Jail has an inmate worker program.

Eligible inmates who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes may serve their time here for a fee – excluding overnight stays. Those who are part of this non-lockdown program may perform duties such as cleaning and gardening.

Loved ones of detainees are permitted to visit from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Mondays through Sundays.

Why does the defendant need to post bail?

A bail is simply a release and return agreement that the defendant will have with the court.

If the defendant is released on bail, the defendant will also have to return for his or her future trials.

Since verbal or written promises are not enough to guarantee the aforementioned obligation for some defendants, monetary assurance is required in the form of bail bond.

Bear in mind, however, that not all defendants will be allowed to post bail. If the defendant poses too much risk to the overall safety of the community, or if there’s a high chance that the defendant will flee, or if the offense is too serious, the defendant will not be granted bail by the court.

What is the duty of the defendant after the bail has been posted?

As part of the bail bond’s condition, the defendant has to come back to court for his future trials including his arraignment.

Arraignment is the time when the defendant will first appear in court.

It is during this time when the defendant is formally informed by the judge of the charges being made against him. The defendant will then respond with his plea – guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

If the defendant skips bail or fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman will have 180 days to locate the defendant before a judge forfeits the bail and issues a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.