Free · no account needed
Help for families
When someone you love is in custody, the first 48 hours decide a lot: whether their medication keeps coming, how much money you hand a bondsman, whether a phone call turns into a new charge. These tools are free, work on a phone, and never ask you to create an account.
Is this your case?
If your defense team gave you an access code, sign in once and this site will show your own court date, courtroom and case file — plus a link to the official clerk record so you can confirm it.
Jail prescription & medical advocacy
Build a signed request so the jail continues your person's medication and treatment.
OpenBail cost calculator & surety comparator
See what a bondsman really costs against posting cash yourself, before you sign anything.
OpenNo-contact order rules & violation preventer
Plain-language rules on what contact is allowed, and how a new charge gets filed.
OpenProperty & evidence room release
Generate the authorization letter to pick up a phone, keys, wallet or car.
OpenFree court date reminders
Sign up for text reminders before the court date so nobody misses a hearing.
OpenCivil rights & police misconduct
Log excessive force, an illegal search or denied jail medical care and build the Internal Affairs complaint.
OpenJuvenile & family hub
The first 24 hours of a juvenile case, plus an emergency caregiver power of attorney for your children.
OpenHUD & Section 8 housing shield
What federal housing rules actually ban, what your housing authority only may do, and how juvenile cases are treated.
OpenPlain-language legal guides
What each defense tool does in ordinary words, plus how to answer background questions on job, licensing and housing applications.
Open
Ask a question
Ask about the steps — where to go, who to call, what things cost. We cannot answer questions about the case itself; the free court-appointed lawyer does that at the morning court list.
What these court words mean
- First morning court hearing(court word: Arraignment / initial appearance)
- The first short hearing, usually within 24-48 hours of the arrest, where a judge sets release conditions.
- Released on a promise to return (no bail cost)(court word: Release on recognizance (ROR))
- The person goes home without paying anything, on their written promise to come back to every court date.
- Bail bondsman fee (usually 10%, not refundable)(court word: Surety bond)
- You pay a company a fee to post the bail. You do not get that fee back, even if the case is dropped.
- Request to drop charges form(court word: Affidavit of non-prosecution)
- A statement asking the prosecutor to drop the case. The prosecutor decides — it is not automatic.
- Missed-court arrest order(court word: Capias / bench warrant)
- A judge's order to arrest someone who did not show up for court.
- Strict stay-away rule(court word: No-contact order)
- A court rule banning calls, texts, messages passed through other people, and social media contact.
- Court check-in program(court word: Pre-trial services)
- Staff who check in with the person and remind them about court while the case is open.
- Free court-appointed lawyer(court word: Public defender)
- The lawyer the court assigns when someone cannot afford to hire one.
- The court's list of cases for that morning(court word: Docket / docket call)
- Your person's name is called from that list; arrive early and stay in the courtroom.
This information helps you navigate court administrative steps and does not constitute legal representation or advice. This is general information, not legal advice, and using these tools does not create an attorney-client relationship. Verify every date, rule and dollar figure with the defense attorney of record and the clerk of court before you act.