Arrest & Jail

If you or someone you know has just been arrested, your main thoughts are how and when to get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, your bail will be set by a special judge called a magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this may mean that you will either be released on your ‘own recognizance’ until your court date, or you don’t get released while you wait for your court date. If you do bail out you will have to promise to be there for your court date, and you can’t go out of town.

Bail & Bail Bondsmen

Bail is the amount of money that you are required to pay to get out of jail pending trial. The amount of bail that is set is determined by what crime you are charged with and how serious it is. You will have to pay 10 percent of the total amount that was determined in order to get discharged from jail. If you fail to show up for your court appearance, that person will lose that bail money.

Find Out How Much Someone’s Bail Is

In order to find out how much someon’s bail is, you need to call the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility or the County Courthouse. If know the person’s information, like name, address and date of birth, they will be able to let you know the bail amount. You can also see the bail amount online.

How To Bail Someone Out of Jail

Having to get someone out of jail is an unpleasant situation, but thankfully, it is easy. First, you need to know if it is a Cash Only Bond situation. If so, you can’t get a bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – they can’t accept checks. As soon as you’ve posted (paid) bond, the inmate will get released. If the conditions of bail are not violated, you will get this money back.

If bail is set too high, or you can’t afford it, you might need to use a bail bondsman. They usually charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of total bail, and sometimes with a minimum of $100. This money will not be returned to you and has to be paid in cash. If bail is very large, the bondsman might use your assets as collateral.

Other Ways to Get Out of Jail

 Time Off For Good Behavior
  • Get Out on Work Release (not available in Santa Fe jail)
  • Time Served
  • Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
  • Released On House Arrest
  • Own Recognizance

Jail Policies and Procedures

Intake Procedures / Booking

 The jail intake process is made up of each of these steps:
  • You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If the jail is busy, you may not be processed immediately.
  • Firstly, you have to answer some questions, like what is your full legal name, address, birth date and a contact person.
  • Also, you will also be asked about your medical and psychological history.
  • You’ll be given an inmate ID.
  • You will be fingerprinted.
  • You will have a front and profile photo taken for your mugshot.
  • Any property you have will get taken away from you and stored until you get discharged from jail.
  • You will get to make a phone call in order to get in touch with a member of your family, friend, or bail bondsman.
  • If you are expected to be released quickly, they will let you wear your own clothes, otherwise you you will have to change into a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, please share your experience. How long did it take to get through intake? What was you treatment like? Do you know any secrets that will help other people that get arrested make it through the process?

Discharge Procedures

 Once you are able to post bail, you will be discharged from jail. The discharge process takes anywhere between 15 minutes to all day long. So, the faster you can pay your bail, the sooner you can get released from jail. It also can depend on whether you have a cash bond or if the judge must decide on the bail amount. For a minor charge, you will be booked and get released without having to post bail. If you have served a sentence in jail and have a date of your release, you should expect to get discharged at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

How To Turn Yourself In

 warrant out for your arrest, or if you have to begin your jail sentence, it is recommended that you do the right thing and turn yourself in. If you have a warrant, go to the jail intake center, and let them know that you think they might have an outstanding warrant for your arrest. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if they find one, they will ask that you surrender yourself and you will be taken into custody. If you have a jail sentence to serve, report to the jail at the exact time and date that the sentence order lists. Be sure that you aren’t late. Make sure that you only bring necessary items when you turn yourself in, such as a driver’s license or photo ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as a sentencing order from court.

Visitation Procedures

The inmate have to provide each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance. Your visitor’s names will be entered in the visitors log as an approved visitor. All visitors will be required to provide acceptable photo identification. Visitors arriving late or that is not an approved visitor will not be allowed to visit the inmate.
The Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility visitation procedures frequently change, so it would be wise to check the official site before you go.

Visiting Hours

Phone Calls & Phone Usage Policy

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are with a pre-paid phone card or account, or are collect calls . Calls made in jail are generally more expensive than regular phone calls. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on how often you can use the phone, but inmates should keep in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the rules, your ability to use the phone may be limited or eliminated completely, as part of the punishment.

Phone Number: 505-471-4941

Sending Mail to Inmates

All inmate mail is required to be sent via the actual US Postal Service, and not courier or delivery, or hand delivered. You must not use any other type of mail or package delivery. You must print the person’s name, inmate ID number, and the jail address on the outside of the letter that you send. Do not send anything in a package, padded envelope, bag, or an envelope containing metal parts. Any mail gets opened and read by the jail officers, and will get returned to the sender if deemed inappropriate.