If someone you know has been arrested in the Ventura area, they will most likely be taken for holding at the Ventura County Jail.
The address for the Ventura County Jail is:
Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Center
800 South Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
805-654-3335
Driving directions: Google Maps, Apple Maps
The Ventura County Jail holds roughly 890 inmates. It is served by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and it is used as a pre-trial detention facility to temporarily house any newly arrested inmates until they:
- Are released on their own recognizance,
- Post bail, or
- Appear for an arraignment or trial.
An “own recognizance” release allows someone to leave jail without paying any bail money. Generally speaking, everyone is eligible for an O.R. release, unless:
- The person has been accused of a capital offense,
- Letting them out is a risk to public safety, or
- Authorities believe the person might try to flee the area.
In some cases, you might be required to post “bail” in order to leave jail. Bail is an amount of money that a person must pay to leave jail after being arrested. If that person attends all of their court appearances, the bail money will be returned at the end of the case.
If they do not attend all of their court appearances, the money will be forfeited.
How do I post bail for someone at the Ventura County Jail?
The Ventura County Jail accepts cash, check, money orders, credit cards and bail bonds.
Once someone is released on bail, you can contact a Ventura criminal defense attorney to schedule a bail hearing. Depending on the facts of the case, this can see your bail reduced or eliminated entirely, and your money can be refunded sooner.
Below, we’ll explain how to pay each kind of bail.
How to pay cash bail
When you pay cash bail, be prepared to pay the full bail amount exactly. The Ventura County Jail does not make change.
This cash will be returned to you when the criminal case is completed, minus a small administrative fee. If the person you are posting bail for does not attend all of their court appearances, the court will not return your cash bail.
How to pay bail with a check or money order
Just like with cash bail, you are required to pay the full bail amount exactly. Note that personal checks are only accepted for non-felony vehicle code violations like DUI or misdemeanor hit and run.
Otherwise, you must pay by certified check, cashier’s check or money order. All checks and money orders must be made payable to the Ventura County Superior Court.
How to pay bail with a credit card
You can now pay bail by credit or debit card for misdemeanors only. Just like when paying by cash or check, you are required to pay the exact full amount.
When paying bail, make sure to have these details ready:
- First name
- Last name
- Booking number
- Court case number
(We explain how to get these details below).
You can pay over the phone by calling 888-604-7888, or online at https://www.govpaynow.com/. When paying over GovPayNet, you will be asked for the Ventura County Jail’s four-digit Pay Location Code (PLC). It is 6404.
How to pay bail with a bail bond
Bail bonds are the most popular way to pay someone’s bail. Instead of paying the full amount, you first contact a bail bondsman and provide them with a non-refundable percentage of the total bail amount (usually 10% at most).
No matter what happens in the case, the bondsman will keep the initial fee. However, if the person you are posting bail for does not attend all of their court appearances, you will now owe the bail bondsman the full amount of the bail.
Bail bond organizations advertise online and in the phone books. Make sure to verify the bondsman’s license before working with them.
How do I look up an inmate’s information (Ventura County Inmate Search)?
You can call 805-654-3335 anytime, day or night, to find inmate information on someone being held at the Ventura County Jail. You can also find this information online by visiting the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s inmate information website.
When looking up an inmate’s information, be sure to have at least one of these details ready:
- The inmate’s full name
- Date of birth
- Booking number
This can help you find the booking number and court case number for bail arrangements if needed.
How do I contact someone who is being held at the Ventura County Jail?
Inmates at the Ventura County Jail are not allowed to take incoming phone calls. When they are booked, inmates are allowed to make free outbound phone calls to arrange bail, notify family members where they are and to hire an attorney.
After that point, inmates can only make outbound calls via collect calls, calling cards or by using a prepaid calling account.
Only inmates who have been sentenced have access to calling cards and prepaid calling accounts. This means that if someone you know has just been arrested and is awaiting arraignment, the only way they can make outbound calls is with collect calling.
If you have a loved one being held at the Pre-Trial Detention Center, it’s a good idea to contact your telephone carrier and ask that they do not block any calls from collect calls, calling card calls and calls placed via Global Tel∗Link to your number.
After sentencing, you can put money on a inmate’s prepaid calling account by contacting Global Tel∗Link at 800-483-8314 or by visiting their website. Money is available in increments of $25 or $50.
How to get legal help for someone who has been arrested
There’s a common misconception that “only guilty people hire lawyers,” but nothing could be further from the truth.
“Robert Helfend is one of the best criminal defense attorneys I’ve ever worked with. He was so knowledgeable, and always made sure I understood everything every step of the way. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who wants an understanding, caring, and truly helpful lawyer.” Pat, CA
The reality is that the criminal justice system is complex and intimidating, and that’s on purpose. Investigators and prosecutors take advantage of our confusing system to make it easier to extract confessions and hand down punishments. A lawyer will be your trusted guardian throughout this entire process, who will fight for your constitutionally guaranteed rights and communicate with you about options throughout the case.
Robert M. Helfend is a SuperLawyers and National Trial Lawyers Top 100 rated trial attorney who has practiced in the Ventura area for more than 40 years. If someone you love has been arrested, know that you don’t have to go through the system alone.
Get an expert by your side. Call today for help — 805-273-6511.