These are some of the most common jail questions and answers or FAQs. Our database of jail questions and answers is constantly growing.

What is DUI?

Driving-Under the influence is a misdemeanor or perhaps a felony, separated from the severity of the offense. Many states-including Nevada could have equivalent meanings and penalties for driving-under the influence.

A good thing you can do for yourself if you are wondering what are the results when you obtain a DUI or DWI for the first time would be to contact a legal counsel who focuses primarily on these kind of situations. This can allow you to plan any for any risk which could appear in court. If you are really lucky, an excellent lawyer could even manage to have the charges against you reduced, that’ll cause a far more lenient sentencing.

Seldom driving under the influence can impose prison time on the first time offender even if no harm was caused. Again, however, the actual charge is determined by their state. In California, even first-time offenders must provide 96 hours in prison if convicted. Needless to say, with overcrowding, often just turning up to prison is going to be adequate enough to allow you to get released permanently based upon your behavior upon your arrival. It has certainly happened for some high-profile celebrities lately.

It’ll also be determined by the laws of one’s state. Some states treat first-time crimes more severely than others. For instance, in Alabama, a primary offense could get you a superb fine as high as $1,200 and a driver’s license suspension of 3 months. That is only for initially! In other states, you might be placed on probation for a year and just be charged a tiny fine. Obviously, if someone was injured by you in the event, or if property was destroyed, you may actually face jail-time, even if it was your first-offense.

So, what’s the difference between a jail and a prison?

In the United States of America, the terms “jail” and “prison” refer to separate levels of incarceration.

What is a prison?

A prison is a place in which humans are physically confined with a loss of at least some personal freedoms. Prisons are state or federal facilities that house people that are awaiting trial on the state or federal level, as well as convicted felons that are serving a term of more than one year.

What is a prison system?

A prison system is the organizational arrangement of the provision and operation of prisons that potentially invokes a corrections system.

What is a jail?

Jails are county and/or city administrated institutions which contain both inmates awaiting trial locally, and convicted misdemeanants serving a term of one year or less.

What’s the difference between federal, state, and local inmates?

Individuals who are convicted of violating Federal (US) laws are sent to Federal prisons. A federal prison may also house people who are awaiting trial for possible violations of Federal laws. Most inmates convicted of violating state or local laws are sent to state prisons, city jails, or county jails.

How can I find out if someone is in jail?

Each jail has different procedures. Most jails offer three ways of finding out if someone is in jail—online lookup, in person, and by telephone. Some jails only allow you to call and others offer all three options; every jail is different. For specifics, locate your jail on our list.

When is the jail open?

Most jails are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For specifics, locate your jail on our list.

What does it mean when a person is “booked” into jail?

This is the procedure for documenting a person into jail. This usually involves collecting personal information such as the person’s name, address, criminal charges (reason for arrest), and taking any personal items such as a wallet, cell phone, watch, etc. This is also the time that a booking photo is taken and fingerprints are collected.

What occurs during an arraignment?

This is when the prisoner and judge are face-to-face. The judge lets the prisoner know exactly why he or she is in jail and lets the prisoner how much his or her bond is going to cost.  Click here to locate a local bondsman.

When are prisoners arraigned?

Each jail is different. For specifics, locate your jail on our list.

What is the difference between jail and prison?

An easy answer is that jail is for a shorter amount of time (usually less than a year) and prison or state jail is for a longer-term. Jails are usually run by the sheriff’s office and/or local governments while the state jails and prisons are run by the state or federal government.

When can I visit an inmate?

Every jail is different but all jails have certain visitation hours so be sure and check with your local jail, on our site, for visitor hours before you go to the jail.

Can prisoners make free phone calls?

Most jails allow the prisoner to make at least one free phone call during the booking process. Otherwise, inmates can make collect calls from prison but must know the phone number to dial. For specifics, locate your jail on our list.

Where do I get the vehicles once they have been impounded?

Usually, the police operate with a specific towing company that takes the vehicle to the towing company’s yard or the police department’s yard. For specific information, locate the jail.

How do I find out if an inmate has been transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?

Your best option is to locate the ICE detention center and contact them directly. For information on ICE detention centers, visit our partner here.