Federal MDC Los Angeles: Federal Detention & Attorney Guide

Federal detention: start with the court's release order

Federal custody is not controlled by the Los Angeles County bail schedule

For a federal defendant, the magistrate or district judge's detention or release order governs whether the person can be released and on what conditions. Counsel should review the federal docket and current order rather than assuming that a California commercial bail bond can be posted in the same manner as a state or county case.

Use BOP records for location, not for the release decision

The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator can help confirm the client's current BOP institution and register number. The locator establishes where the person is housed; it does not replace the court order controlling release. If the court modifies conditions, counsel should coordinate the resulting release process through the federal case and the custodial agency.

A practical federal detention check

Start with the docket, then confirm custody

1. Review the current federal detention or release order.
2. Confirm the BOP register number and present institution.
3. Identify any state, immigration or other detainer that could survive a federal release order.
4. Coordinate the release conditions through the federal case rather than a county-jail bail workflow.

Location and release authority answer different questions

BOP confirms where the client is housed; the federal court record controls whether the client may be released and under what conditions.

Attorney coordination before a federal release

Confirm detainers and competing custody

A federal release order does not necessarily resolve a state warrant, immigration detainer or another custody authority. Before giving the family a release expectation, determine whether another agency has lodged a hold or is expected to assume custody.

Check current legal-access procedures

For current agency procedures, check the Federal Bureau of Prisons' official facility information and the BOP inmate locator before a time-sensitive visit, bond posting or document delivery.