Can You Bail Someone Out on Christmas or New Year’s? How Holiday Bail Bonds Work in California

The holidays are meant to be a time of celebration, family gatherings, and travel. Unfortunately, statistics show that arrests increase significantly during major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and especially New Year’s Eve.

If a friend or family member is arrested during the holiday season in California, panic sets in. The most common and urgent question families ask our bail agents is:

“Can you bail someone out on Christmas or New Year’s?”

The definitive answer is YES.

Understanding how bail works during these times, and connecting quickly with a licensed bail agent, can make a stressful situation much easier to handle. Below is everything you need to know about securing a bail bond and jail release during the holidays.

Are Bail Bonds Available on Major Holidays?

Yes. Bail bond companies in California are permitted and expected to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—365 days a year. This includes every major holiday: Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day.

While it is true that county courthouses and judges are unavailable on holidays and weekends to handle arraignments, jails never close. Jails continue to book, process, and release inmates once bail is posted, regardless of the date.

A licensed, 24-hour bail agent (often referred to as a bail bondsman) can act immediately to:

• Locate which jail the inmate is being held in.

• Verify the specific charges and the required bail amount.

• Post the bail bond directly at the jail to secure release.

• Begin the release process immediately.

This is why working with an experienced, on-call bail agent is critical when facing a holiday arrest. You do not have to wait until the courts reopen to start the bail process.

Why Do Arrests (and the Need for Bail) Increase During the Holidays?

Law enforcement agencies often operate at full capacity with increased patrols during holiday periods. Arrest rates rise during Christmas and New Year’s primarily due to:

• DUI Arrests & Checkpoints: Increased travel to parties leads to a spike in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges, requiring immediate bail bonds.

• Domestic Violence Calls: High-stress levels during family gatherings often result in domestic disturbance calls and subsequent arrests.

• Public Intoxication: New Year’s Eve celebrations often lead to alcohol-related arrests in public spaces.

• Outstanding Warrants: Increased traffic stops during holiday patrols often lead to police discovering pre-existing warrants, resulting in immediate booking and the need for bail.

How the Bail Process Works on Christmas & New Year’s

Even though courts are closed, the fundamental bail process in California remains the same on holidays.

Step 1: Arrest & Booking

The individual is arrested and taken to a local county or city jail for “booking” (mugshots, fingerprinting, and background checks).

Step 2: Bail Is Set via Schedule

Because judges are not working on holidays to set bail personally, the bail amount is determined by a pre-determined County Bail Schedule. Standard charges like DUIs, misdemeanors, and many felonies have pre-set bail amounts that allow for immediate posting of a bail bond.

Step 3: Contact a 24/7 Bail Agent

You contact a licensed bail bondsman or bail agent. They can finalize the paperwork electronically or in person and post the bail bond at the jail immediately—even on Christmas Day at 3:00 AM.

Step 4: The Release Process Begins

Once the jail clerk accepts the bail bond from the agent, the inmate is placed in the queue for release.

How Long Does Jail Release Take After Bail is Posted?

While you can post a bail bond on a holiday, patience is required for the actual physical release from the facility.

Holiday jail releases generally take anywhere from 2 to 12+ hours after bail is posted.

Holidays are the busiest times for jails. Release times are slower due to:

• High Jail Population: A surge in holiday arrests creates a backlog in processing inmates for release after bail is posted.

• Reduced Staffing: Jails often operate with skeletal staff during major holidays, slowing down the acceptance of bail bonds.

• Medical Clearance Needs: If the arrest involved alcohol or an altercation, the inmate may need medical clearance before the bail agent can secure their release.

The best way to speed up this process is to call a bail agent immediately to get the bail bond paperwork started the moment booking is complete.

FAQs About Holiday Bail Bonds

Can You Post Bail at Night or on Weekends?

Yes. Bail agents operate after hours, overnight, and on weekends. You never need to wait until the “next business day.” If a bail bond is posted on a Saturday night, the jail must process the release; they cannot hold the inmate until Monday morning just because it is the weekend.

What Information Does a Bail Agent Need?

To expedite a holiday bail bond, try to have the following ready when you call your bail agent:

• Full legal name of the person arrested.

• Their date of birth.

• The jail or city where they were arrested (if known).

• The type of charge (if known).

If you don’t have all the details, don’t worry. A professional bail bondsman can locate the inmate in the system with minimal information.

Why Choose a Local California Bail Agent During the Holidays?

When dealing with holiday jail staffing delays, experienced bail agents matter. A local bail bondsman understands county-specific jail procedures, knows which jails process bail releases faster, and knows how to navigate common holiday hold-ups in your specific area.

We’re Open 24/7 for Bail Bonds — Even on Christmas & New Year’s

Being arrested during the holidays is overwhelming, but no one should spend Christmas or ring in the New Year from a jail cell if bail is an option.

If you or a loved one needs emergency bail bond assistance in California, connect with a 24/7 bail agent at Bada Bing Bail Bonds immediately.

📞 Call Bada Bing Bail Bonds anytime. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to post bail on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and all weekends.

🌐 Visit us at www.badabingbail.com to speak with a bail agent now.