West County Detention Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Contra Costa County bail and bond: booking in Martinez and the new release rules
A person picked up in Contra Costa County is booked first at the Martinez Detention Facility, 901 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Later a move is possible, either to a second jail in Richmond or to a lower-security camp site near Clayton called Marsh Creek. You'll read about bail amounts, ways to pay, and new rules that free some people without bail.
Use the Sheriff's custody search by last name and first name before you drive anywhere. It can show a bail figure. Our Contra Costa County Inmate Search page adds jail rosters, new arrests, warrants and charges, and tells you about public defenders.
No sign of the name yet? Dial the jail at 925-335-4600. Ask where your person is and whether any bail is due. Then see the Contra Costa court steps for what happens at the first hearing.
1. Was she taken to Martinez, or somewhere else?
Booking for the whole county happens at the Martinez Detention Facility. The county says it is the only jail where new arrests are booked. Afterward she may be housed at any of the three county jails, depending on her classification. Search her name with Contra Costa County Inmate Search, and if her name has not turned up yet, call 925-335-4600.
2. Do I even need to pay bail for this charge?
Maybe not. The Superior Court started a pre-arraignment release protocol on July 8, 2026. People charged with certain non-serious, non-violent felonies and misdemeanors are either cited at the scene or released after booking on a promise to appear, with $0 bail. Check Contra Costa County Inmate Search for a bail amount before you gather money. If it shows nothing, ask the jail at 925-335-4600 whether he is being released on his own promise.
3. Which charges still require money before release?
The court's schedule says anyone charged with a serious or violent felony, a charge under Penal Code 1270.1 such as felony corporal injury to a partner, or a capital crime cannot use the free release categories. Some of these people may still post the scheduled bail before they see a judge. People on felony probation, parole, or post-release supervision at the time of arrest must also post cash bail, and so must anyone with more than two missed court dates in the last 12 months.
4. What does the schedule actually say for common charges?
The 2026 Contra Costa schedules, effective July 8, 2026, list a dollar figure only for charges that need bail. Many other charges are marked $0. The court's own unlisted-felony starting point for a judge is $20,000, and its unlisted-misdemeanor starting point is $250. For a sense of the old numbers, the court's 2025 schedules listed home burglary at $50,000, second-degree robbery at $50,000, assault with a deadly weapon at $30,000, a misdemeanor battery at $3,000, and a first drunk-driving charge at $5,000. The 2026 figures may differ. At arraignment a Contra Costa judge may raise or cut the scheduled figure. The jail can tell you the exact figure for your charge at 925-335-4600.
5. Where in the jail do I hand over bail?
Sheriff web pages give no bail window location or hours. Ask the Martinez Detention Facility, 1000 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553 (925-335-4600), whether it will take cash bail at the window and whether a card works for the misdemeanor charge. Phone 925-335-4600 ahead to learn the location, the ID needed and any night hours. You can also use a licensed bail agent.
6. I heard the Sheriff takes only cash. Is that true?
One secondary source says the jail wants cash, except that some misdemeanor bail can be paid by credit card. The Sheriff's site does not confirm the rule. Do not mail a check or wire money. Check with the desk at 925-335-4600 about today's accepted payments, and note who told you.
7. Can a judge lower it, and how fast?
Yes. At arraignment the judge may set bail higher, lower, or at nothing, using what is called the least restrictive conditions. The court has said it follows the California Supreme Court's 2026 ruling in In re Kowalczyk, which says pretrial freedom is the norm and release cannot depend only on ability to pay. Tell the lawyer about jobs, children, and where he lives. Ask the public defender, 925-608-9600, how to request a bail review.
8. When does he see a judge, and where?
Penal Code 825 allows 48 hours from arrest, leaving out Sundays and court holidays. The main Martinez courthouse, 725 Court Street in Martinez, lists arraignments among its hearings. The county also has courthouses in Richmond and Pittsburg, so confirm the right building. Every courthouse answers through 925-608-1000. Court phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
9. There is a bench warrant. How do I clear it?
Go to the Clerk's Office between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to be placed on that day's calendar. The court says you cannot change a criminal court date. If a bail bond was posted, call the bond company too. Bring photo ID and any papers with the case number. Call 925-608-1000 if you do not know the courthouse.
10. Can our house secure the bond?
The court has a property bond packet, form CR-130. The equity, meaning value minus loans, must be at least twice the bail. Every owner signs and a deed of trust is recorded in the county where the home sits. You also need a recent appraisal, a title report, proof taxes are paid, and insurance naming the county, all dated within 45 days of the hearing. Costs are paid up front. The criminal clerk can confirm whether out-of-state land is accepted, so call 925-608-1000.
11. Contra Costa bondsman pricing
State insurance regulators list 10% of the bond as the usual fee. Each agent must charge its surety's filed rate. A dismissal does not return that premium. Collateral stays with the agent until the case ends.
12. Why might his listing show zero bail allowed?
The state constitution (Art. I, sec. 12) lets capital crimes and certain violent or sexual felonies can be held without bail when a judge makes the required findings. The county also holds people on probation or parole violations and warrants from other places. The court says anyone charged with an offense listed in section 12 or Penal Code 1270.5 cannot be released before arraignment. A hearing is required first for 1270.1 charges.
13. Antioch or other city officers arrested him. Now what?
City police take people to Martinez for booking. Antioch Police, 300 L Street, 925-779-6900, is listed by the state as a local lockup that can hold youth briefly. Other cities, including Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, San Pablo, Hercules, El Cerrito, Oakley, and Brentwood, are on the same state list. Ask the police desk which agency has the person, then call Martinez.
14. Which place holds arrested minors in Contra Costa?
The county uses Juvenile Hall at 202 Glacier Drive, Martinez, run by Probation. Its office is at 925-957-2700 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 925-957-2740 after hours and on weekends. The Orin Allen facility in Byron was voted closed in 2022. The court also runs a Juvenile and Traffic Center at 640 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, so ask Probation which building applies.
15. Who defends him if we cannot hire someone?
The county Public Defender, 800 Ferry Street, Martinez, answers at 925-608-9600 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. If there is a conflict, the Alternate Defender Office at 627 Ferry Street takes the case, 925-608-9800. Branch offices are in Richmond, 510-942-4900, and Walnut Creek, 925-608-4400. Ask the judge at arraignment to appoint one.
16. What if he skips court after we bailed him out?
The judge can declare the bail forfeited. Penal Code 1305 gives him 180 days, five extra if notice is mailed, and returning in that time wipes out the forfeiture. Phone his lawyer and the bondsman that day. A friend who put up cash should ask the clerk about the process after the case ends.
17. Can Contra Costa bail be set just to keep someone in jail?
That practice was ruled out by California's highest court on April 30, 2026. In Kowalczyk, the justices said unaffordable bail can't be used as a back door to detention. Martinez, Richmond and Pittsburg judges must either set a reachable amount or hold a hearing to deny bail outright.
18. Where are Contra Costa's courthouses, and what are their phone numbers?
Contra Costa runs courts in Martinez, Richmond, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek. Jail cases from the Martinez Detention Facility normally start on Ward Street:
- Ward Street courthouse (main criminal): 1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553 · 925-608-1000
- Court Street courthouse: 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553 · 925-608-1000
- Pine Street family law center: 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553 · 925-608-1000
- Richmond courthouse: 100 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805 · 925-608-1000
- Pittsburg justice center: 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565 · 925-608-1000
- Juvenile and traffic center: 640 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 · 925-608-1000
19. What happens to bail when the arrest is federal?
County bail simply isn't part of a federal case. If agents arrest someone in Richmond, Concord or Antioch, the case goes to Oakland, to the Northern District of California.
- He'll see a magistrate judge at Oakland federal courthouse, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612.
- Pretrial Services meets with him and sends a report on risk and ties to the community.
- The detention hearing decides custody. The U.S. attorney can delay it up to three days; the defense, five.
- Release terms are federal: a bond signed by family, supervision, travel limits or an ankle monitor.
If he's held, the Marshals pick the jail. Call U.S. Marshals Service, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, 510-637-3666.
20. Can ICE stop a release from the Martinez jail?
Through a detainer, ICE asks Martinez to hang on to someone for as long as two working days after he would walk out (8 CFR 287.7). SB 54 keeps the Contra Costa Sheriff from doing that. ICE learns the release date only if his past includes a crime on the state's short list of serious or violent offenses. The TRUTH Act requires a written consent form before ICE may interview someone inside the jail.
Contra Costa falls under the San Francisco ICE field office, 630 Sansome Street, Room 590, San Francisco, CA 94111, 415-365-8800. Detention sites include:
- Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center: 425 Golden State Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Golden State Annex: 611 Frontage Road, McFarland, CA 93250
- California City detention site: 22844 Virginia Boulevard, California City, CA 93505
21. What websites list where a Contra Costa arrestee is held?
- Contra Costa County Inmate Search: search last name and first name. Housing, charges and bail are shown. City lockups in Richmond or Antioch may hold people for a few hours first.
- VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/): pick California and enter the name to see custody and location.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/): register number or full name for federal prisoners. Pretrial cases: call 510-637-3666.
- CDCR Inmate Locator (https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/): a CDCR number or name shows his prison.
- ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/): A-number or name and birth country. If you find no match, call 415-365-8800.
22. Where do we call to confirm a Contra Costa bail figure?
The Martinez court line, 925-608-1000, is the place to check. Bail can shift after a hearing, so confirm it the same day you post.
Contra Costa County bail contacts
- Main jail: Martinez Detention Facility, 901 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553; 925-335-4600
- Bail guide: Bail steps for Contra Costa's jails
- Custody lookup: Contra Costa County Inmate Search
- Other jails: West County Detention Facility, Richmond; Marsh Creek Detention Facility; ask 925-335-4600 where someone is housed
- Superior Court: Main Martinez courthouse, 725 Court Street, Martinez; all courthouses 925-608-1000; Criminal Clerk 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays
- Other courthouses: Ward Street courthouse, 1020 Ward Street, Martinez; Richmond courthouse, 100 37th Street, Richmond; Pittsburg justice center, 1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg
- Public Defender: 800 Ferry Street, Martinez; 925-608-9600
- Juvenile: Juvenile Hall, 202 Glacier Drive, Martinez; 925-957-2700
- Antioch police: 300 L Street, Antioch; 925-779-6900
Release rules, amounts, hours, and phone numbers change often, and a judge can depart from the schedule. Ring the jail or clerk ahead of payment; treat this page as general help, not legal counsel.
West County Detention Facility
Address:
5555 Giant Highway
Richmond, CA 94806
Phone:
510-262-4200