San Francisco County Jail #3 Inmate Bail & Bonds

San Francisco County Jail #3

Address:
1 Moreland Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066

Phone:

650-266-7500

It is the policy of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office not to seek cash bail in criminal cases, except in certain misdemeanor cases where the law provides a court with no other choice to protect public safety.

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 650-266-7500 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at San Francisco County Jail #3.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.

Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in San Francisco County

Because San Francisco County and California can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the San Francisco County Jail #3 at 650-266-7500, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked. 

Ask the staff at the San Francisco County Jail #3 or the San Francisco County Court Clerk these specific questions:

  1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
  2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
  3. Where do I go to pay it?
  4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
  5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
  6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released. 

This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.

Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at San Francisco County Jail #3

The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.

Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.

To pay a cash bond, go to San Francisco County Jail #3 or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.

Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to San Francisco County Jail #3 where the defendant is being held, but usually to the San Francisco County Sheriff's Office or to the San Francisco County Court.

To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.

Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at San Francisco County Jail #3

In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.

This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.



For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.

A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.

Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.

Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at San Francisco County Jail #3

If you are a landowner in San Francisco County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within San Francisco County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.

To find if property located outside of San Francisco County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.

Click here for additional information on how to post bail at San Francisco County Jail #3.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at San Francisco County Jail #3?

Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.

In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.

Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a California state licensed Bail Bond firm.

Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.

San Francisco County Justice System Flowchart

When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?

Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, San Francisco County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.

What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?

The San Francisco County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.

If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the San Francisco County Jail #3 by Phone?

Follow these instructions on communicating with your inmate by phone for free in San Francisco County

The San Francisco Jail System does not charge inmates for making phone calls to friends and family.

For full instructions on the San Francisco County Jail #3 Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, and regulations, check out our Inmate Phones Page.


 

San Francisco County Jail #3 Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the San Francisco County Jail #3 there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

All mail is to be shipped to the San Francisco County Jail #3:
Inmate Name and Booking Number
San Francisco Jail #3
1 Moreland Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066


For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.


 

How to Arrange Video Visitation with San Francisco County Jail #3 Inmates

Follow these instructions to schedule and then visit an inmate using GTL.

  • Register yourself and all visitors.
  • Select San Francisco County Jail #3
  • Select your inmate.
  • Schedule your preferred time for the visit.

For all the information you need to know regarding scheduling, cost, rules, tips and guidelines of inmate visits at the San Francisco County Jail #3, check out our Visit Inmate Page.


 

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in San Francisco County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in San Francisco County Jail #3 follow these steps:

  • Select California, then select San Francisco County Jail #3, and then select the 'Send a Package Order' option.
  • Register and create an account with Access Securepak, for San Francisco County.
  • Choose the inmate and the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
  • NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in San Francisco County at any one time.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in San Francisco County Jail #3 check out our Commissary Instructions Page for San Francisco County.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in San Francisco County

To send commissary money to an inmate in San Francisco County Jail #3 follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select California, then select San Francisco County Jail #3, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for San Francisco County Jail #3.


 

Photos of this facility
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