How Long Does It Take to Get Out of Robert Presley Detention Center?

There is no set release time at Robert Presley Detention Center, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Office does not publish one. How long it takes depends on when booking is finished, whether the charge allows release before court, whether there are holds, and how quickly bail is posted and checked. What you can control is getting accurate information and starting the bail process as soon as a bail amount is available.

This guide covers what Robert Presley is, what happens between arrest and release there, and the practical steps that keep things from stalling.

What is Robert Presley Detention Center?

Robert Presley Detention Center (often called RPDC) is a Riverside County Sheriff's jail in downtown Riverside. According to the Sheriff's Office, it opened in 1989 and replaced the old Riverside County Jail. It is run under the Sheriff's Corrections Division, and the same command also oversees the Detention Care Unit at Riverside University Health System.

• Address: 4000 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501
• Main phone: (951) 955-4500

You can read more on our Robert Presley Detention Center page.

Why nobody can promise you a release time

Families are often told "a few hours" or "by morning." The honest answer is that it depends, and anyone quoting an exact number is guessing. Release at Robert Presley moves through several steps, and each one can be fast or slow on a given night:

1. Booking. The person is identified, fingerprinted, photographed, screened and has their property inventoried. Until this is done, a bail amount may not be available.
2. Bail is determined. For most new arrests, bail comes from the Riverside County Superior Court's bail schedule. If the arrest was on a warrant, the amount is usually on the warrant. Some charges must go before a judge first.
3. Bail is posted. Either the full amount in cash or a bond from a licensed bail agent.
4. Jail staff check and accept the bail. Names, booking numbers and charges have to match.
5. Release processing. The person is changed out, property is returned and paperwork is signed.

A delay at any one of these steps pushes everything back. That is why two families with similar cases can have very different nights.

First, confirm the person is actually at Robert Presley

Riverside County has five Sheriff's jails, and people are sometimes moved between them. The Sheriff's Office links an online Inmate Locator from its Corrections page. Search by name and write down the booking number, the facility listed and any bail amount or court date shown.

If the person does not appear yet, booking may still be in progress, or they may have been taken to a different facility such as the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. Try again later or call (951) 955-4500. Our article on finding someone in jail in Southern California covers what an empty search usually means.

What can slow release down at Robert Presley

Holds from another case or agency

This is a common reason a family posts bail and the person still does not come out. A warrant from another county, a probation or parole hold, or an immigration detainer can keep someone in custody even after the new charge is bailed. Some holds have no bail at all. Before paying anything, ask the person, or ask your bail agent to check, whether anything else is pending.

Charges that need a judge first

Some charges are not released straight from the bail schedule. In those cases the person waits to see a judge. California law generally requires an in-custody arraignment within 48 hours of arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays. We explain that rule and the rest of the court process in what happens after an arrest in Riverside County.

Paperwork that doesn't match

If the name, booking number, charge or bail amount on the bond doesn't match the jail's record, the bond has to be corrected before it is accepted. Spelling the name exactly as it appears in the locator, and giving the booking number, prevents most of these delays.

Busy periods and medical needs

When many arrests come in at once, everyone waits longer, and staff cannot move one person ahead of the line. If someone needs medical attention during booking, that comes before release.

Things you can do while you wait

• Keep your phone on and charged. The person in custody, the jail or your bail agent may need to reach you.
• Do not discuss the case on jail phone calls. Jail calls are generally recorded. Stick to logistics.
• Gather what the bail agent will ask for: the person's full legal name, date of birth, booking number, and your own photo ID and contact information.
• Check the agent's license. California bail agents are licensed by the California Department of Insurance. Ask for the license number and look it up before you sign.
• Plan the ride home. The jail is in downtown Riverside. The Sheriff's Office notes metered street parking around the jail and two public parking structures at the corner of Lemon and 12th Street.

Bail costs, briefly

If you use a bail bond, the premium is typically 10% of the bail amount, based on rates filed with the California Department of Insurance, and payment plans are available. You can also pay the full bail in cash. Our article on what a bail bond costs in California explains the difference, and co-signing a bail bond covers what the signer agrees to.

If the person stays in custody

If bail cannot be posted, or the person is waiting to see a judge, you may need to drop off clothes or medication or visit.

Court clothing, medication and documents

The Sheriff's Office says Robert Presley accepts court clothing, prescription medication and legal documents every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with check-in at the jail lobby. Call (951) 955-4500 first to confirm what is allowed.

Property

Under Sheriff's Office rules, the person in custody must sign a property withdrawal slip before anyone can pick up their belongings, and you need ID. Property that can be picked up does not include clothing or money.

Visiting

The Sheriff's Office says to call (951) 341-8888 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule a visit at Robert Presley. Its posted rules include valid picture ID, a dress code, searches of visitors and their belongings, and warrant checks. Check the official Robert Presley visiting page for the current schedule before you go, since rules can change.

After release

The person will leave with paperwork showing a court date and courthouse. The most important thing now is making every court date. A missed date can lead to a warrant and a forfeited bond, which affects both the defendant and whoever signed. For more on courts and jails across the county, see our Riverside County bail bonds page.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your case, talk to a criminal defense attorney.

Need help now?

OnCall Bail Bonds' licensed agents answer 24/7 in English and Spanish, and you can sign from your phone. Call our Riverside County line at (951) 339-3801 or start bail online.