Theo Lacy Bail Bonds
Licensed Agent — 24/7
Theo Lacy Facility Bail Bonds
Theo Lacy is one of Orange County's main detention facilities. Chad Conley is available around the clock to post bail and get your loved one home fast.
Orange County bail bonds
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If you qualify (homeowners, active military, law enforcement), bail $20,000 and up: 8% with $0 down, 7% with 2% down, or 6% paid in full on $30,000 and up. See all rates
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See if you qualifyAll Releases Happen at Theo Lacy
One thing is certain: if your loved one is housed at Theo Lacy, they will be released from Theo Lacy. All releases happen on site. There is no bus transfer, no trip to IRC — you wait at Theo Lacy and they walk out at Theo Lacy.
Why Call Chad Conley?
24/7 Availability
Arrests happen at any hour. Chad answers the phone day and night, weekends and holidays.
Licensed & Experienced
Licensed since 2008, with additional experience as an investigator and bounty hunter. Chad knows Theo Lacy inside and out.
Fast Release
Chad works directly with jail staff to process paperwork and get your loved one out as quickly as possible.
No Call Center
You speak directly with Chad — not an answering service or junior agent.
Bilingual Service
Habla español. Chad serves both English and Spanish-speaking families.
Flexible Financing
Payment plans available. Chad works with families to make bail affordable.
Theo Lacy Bond Posting & Release Schedule
Theo Lacy operates on a strict daily schedule that directly affects when and where you post a bond — and when your loved one gets released. This is insider knowledge most people only learn the hard way. Here is exactly how it works.
Post Bond Directly at Theo Lacy
Once the cashier arrives in the morning, bonds can be posted directly at Theo Lacy. The defendant will be released directly from Theo Lacy. This is the smoothest scenario — everything happens at one facility.
Theo Lacy Stops Accepting New Bonds at 2 PM
After 2:00 PM, Theo Lacy will no longer accept new bond postings. If you need to post a bond after 2 PM, you must go to the IRC (Intake Release Center) in Santa Ana to post the paperwork. However — and this is important — the defendant does NOT transfer to IRC. They stay at Theo Lacy and are released from Theo Lacy.
ⓘAfter 2 PM: post the bond at IRC, but your loved one walks out of Theo Lacy. Two different locations for two different steps.
Corrections to Posted Bonds — Theo Lacy Until 4 PM
Already posted a bond but there is an issue — wrong spelling, incorrect court date, case number error? Theo Lacy gives a correction window from 2 PM to 4 PM. Any correction not resolved by 4 PM means the bond transfers to IRC for corrections, and all further paperwork corrections must be handled there.
ⓘCommon corrections: defendant name spelling, court date, case number. Chad double-checks everything before submitting to avoid this.
Cashier Departs — Property Pickup Changes
The Theo Lacy cashier leaves at 5 PM. Releases can still happen after 5 PM, but the cashier is no longer on site. This affects property pickup: small items like your ID, phone, and small amounts of cash will be returned. Larger property — purses, bags, valuables — will NOT be available after 5 PM. You will need to return during cashier hours to retrieve those items.
ⓘDo not expect to pick up bags or larger belongings at a late-night release. Plan a return trip during daytime cashier hours.
Zero Releases During This Window
Theo Lacy does not process any releases between 5 PM and 11 PM. This is not a slow period — it is a complete stop. No matter when the bond was posted or approved, no one walks out during these hours. This is one of the most important things families need to know so they are not waiting at the facility for hours with no result.
ⓘDo not go to Theo Lacy to wait for a release between 5 PM and 11 PM. No one is coming out during this window.
Batch Releases Begin at 11 PM — Right at Theo Lacy
Starting at 11 PM, Theo Lacy processes what are called dump releases — large batches of inmates who have been cleared for release are all processed and released at the same time, right there at the facility. Theo Lacy typically runs one or two dump releases between 11 PM and 1 AM. If your loved one was bonded out that day, they will most likely come out in one of these batches.
ⓘArrive by 10:30 PM to be in position for the first dump release at 11 PM. If they do not come out in the first batch, the second batch typically runs before 1 AM.
Releases Stop After 1 AM
After 1:00 AM, Theo Lacy does not process any more releases until the cashier returns in the morning. If your loved one was not released in the 11 PM to 1 AM window, they will remain at Theo Lacy until the next morning release cycle begins.
ⓘIf it is past 1 AM and they have not been released, call Chad. There may be a hold, a paperwork issue, or a reason to follow up with the facility directly.
⚠Cashier opening time: Confirm current cashier opening time by calling Chad at 855-BAD-CHAD.
The IRC: Where You Post the Bond After 2 PM — Not Where They Get Released
The IRC — Intake Release Center — is Orange County's central processing hub in Santa Ana. After 2 PM, new bonds must be posted at the IRC rather than Theo Lacy. But this only affects where the paperwork is submitted. The defendant stays at Theo Lacy and is released from Theo Lacy. Chad handles this coordination so families do not have to figure it out on their own.
Family Guide: Theo Lacy
Everything you need to know before you drive there.
Picking them up
- Everyone housed at Theo Lacy is released at Theo Lacy, 501 The City Drive South, Orange. You do not go to Santa Ana to pick them up.
- Don't park at the jail. It's all government parking and red curb, and they enforce it. Park in the structure the family court uses (the Lamoreaux Justice Center visitor structure, 313 The City Drive South), across from the Juvenile Courthouse and next to UCI Medical Center. It's two buildings away and a long walk, so wear good shoes. The court lists it at $3 an hour, $16 max per day.
- Where to wait: there are benches outside the release door, with coin lockers that take quarters. To wait inside, staff have to approve you, buzz you in, and you go through security. The restroom is inside, so the same rule applies. Bring quarters and plan on waiting outside on the benches.
- Plan on about 8 hours from when the bond is posted, after about 8 hours to book in. A great day is about 5. Weekends, holidays and lockdowns make it longer.
- Chad's experience: nobody walks out between 5 PM and 11 PM. Releases come out in groups between 11 PM and 1 AM. If the bond was posted in the afternoon, plan on a late-night pickup.
- Want to know if they're out yet? Call Chad. We'll check for you, so you don't have to sit on hold with the jail.
Chad’s tip: skip the long wait in the parking lot
County release times swing a lot. If you show up at 6 hours and it takes 9½, that's 3½ hours sitting in your car. Set up Uber on your phone ahead of time instead. When they let you know they're out, request the ride for them. An Uber is usually just 3 to 7 minutes away, and it can bring them straight to you.
How: in the Uber app, tap “Where to?”, then “For me”, then “Add a rider”, and enter their phone number. Uber texts them the driver's name and license plate. They don't need the app.
What about their battery? In Chad's experience, jailers are very consistent about turning the phone off at booking to save the battery. If it had a charge going in, it usually comes out with the same charge, ready for the Uber texts.
Talk to them fast
- Right after booking, California law gives them at least 3 free completed calls, within 3 hours of arrest. Those calls can go to a lawyer, a bail bondsman and a family member. Make sure they have your number memorized.
- Fastest way to keep talking: open a ViaPath AdvancePay account on YOUR phone number. Money you add online or by phone is available right away, and they can call you as soon as there's enough for a 1-minute call.
- Money put on their books (their jail account) is for commissary and is available about 30 minutes after you pay at the cashier. The account can hold up to $500.
The OC Sheriff says: do NOT use a "Getting Out" account. Use ViaPath.
When they call, ask these
Jail calls are short. Keep this list open during the call so you get everything Chad needs in one try.
- 1Read me your wristband: your name exactly as it's spelled there, in the exact order. (Two last names often get run together or reversed.)
- 2The date of birth on your wristband. Don't assume. It may have been entered wrong.
- 3The booking number on your wristband.
- 4Is it a new arrest or a warrant (an old case)? A warrant usually means they'll be transferred to the county jail soon. A new local charge usually stays local until court, which gives Chad more time to post.
- 5Who can cosign: names and phone numbers of 2–3 people with a job, credit or property
- 6What are they accusing you of? (Not the details. Calls are recorded.) And the court date, if you know it.
- 7Where is the car? Was it towed? Who else needs a call: kids, work, pets?
- 8Tell them: call Chad at (714) 481-0600
Every jail call is recorded
It's natural to ask, "Oh my God, what happened?" But if they answer, that recording can be used in their case.
- It's OK to ask: "What are they accusing you of?"
- Don't ask for details or an explanation of what went down. That conversation waits until they're out, or happens with their attorney.
- If they start telling the story, be the one to remind them: "Not now. We'll talk when you're out."
Chad's tip, from nearly 20 years in bail. Not legal advice.
What to bring
- Bring quarters. Even if you're just going to the cashier counter, the deputies on duty may make you put your phone and other things in a locker. It usually takes 2 quarters, so bring a few extra in case you forget something and have to open it again.
- Your photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport or consular card).
- A phone charger. Their phone has probably been dead for days.
- A jacket or clean clothes. They walk out in whatever they were arrested in.
- Water, a snack, and cash or a card for gas. Late-night releases mean most places are closed.
Their property and money
- Late at night they usually get back small things: ID, phone, keys and small cash. Larger property like bags and purses may have to be picked up later during cashier hours, 8 AM to 5 PM.
- While they are still inside, they can release property to you. Fill out a property release form in the Theo Lacy lobby between 7 AM and 9 PM. They have to sign it before you can take the items.
- Their jail money can be released to you through the cashier if they sign a Cash Withdrawal Form.
- Clothing can't be released without an exchange (you bring clothes, they give the old ones). That can take several hours.
Getting the car back
- The car is handled by whoever arrested them (the city police department, the Sheriff or CHP), not by Theo Lacy. Every agency has its own rules.
- Many tow yards won't release a car without a vehicle release from that agency. You often get it at their front counter or cashier, and sometimes there's a fee. Then you take the release to the tow yard.
- Check whose name is on the registration. Tow yards usually only release the car to the registered owner. If it's not in your name, call the tow yard first and ask what the owner needs to give you, so you don't make the trip for nothing.
Car not in your name? Move fast.
- This is how a lot of families lose a car. Storage fees add up every day. If they grow bigger than what the car is worth, the tow yard can sell it.
- Police and tow yards usually only release the car to the registered owner, or to someone with a notarized letter from the owner. Call the person on the registration today, not next week.
- If you bought the car, bring the signed title (pink slip) and the bill of sale. Call the tow yard first and ask if they'll accept them.
- Chad's advice: when you buy a used car, put it in your name at the DMV right away, even if the registration is still good. California gives buyers only 10 days to transfer it.
Visiting
- Friday to Monday, 8 AM to 5 PM. By appointment only, no walk-ups.
- Call (714) 935-6202 to schedule, at least 24 hours ahead. Have their booking number ready.
- One 30-minute visit per day, up to 4 visits a week.
- Bring a government photo ID. Leave your phone and everything except your ID and keys in the car.
Checking on them
The easiest way: call Chad. We'll check if they're in custody, the bail amount and when they'll be released, so you don't have to sit on hold with the jail.
Call (714) 481-0600Official jail numbers
- Theo Lacy cashier: (714) 935-6905 (Daily 8 AM–5 PM. Bonds accepted 8 AM–2 PM.)
- Theo Lacy records: (714) 935-6940 (Release status and records questions.)
- Visit scheduling: (714) 935-6202
- Santa Ana IRC cashier (24 hours): (714) 647-6085 (Bonds after 2 PM are posted here. They still walk out of Theo Lacy.)
Last checked October 25, 2026
Jail rules change. If something here doesn't match what you see, call Chad and he'll sort it out. Official sources:
After they're home: free help near Orange
Getting out is step one. Chad put these together for families who are stretched thin.
Why You May Have Heard Something Different — The Bus Transfer Era
This practice ended years ago. Here is what actually happened and why it stopped.
For many years, Theo Lacy did transfer inmates to the IRC for release — and the IRC was the deliberate destination. It sat just blocks from the downtown Santa Ana transit hub: the bus station was about a block away, the train station a few blocks beyond that. The idea was that releasing people near public transit made practical sense for those who needed a ride home.
The way it worked: once a defendant was cleared to go, jail staff would load everyone onto a bus, drive them from Theo Lacy in Orange across town to the IRC in Santa Ana, and release them there. The IRC handled the official release. The bus station and train station were right there.
But in practice it was a massive waste of resources and a miserable experience for everyone involved. You cannot put multiple defendants on a bus with a single officer — you need multiple officers for the transport. You have to formally check everyone out of one facility, drive them across town, then check them all in at the other end. That is overtime, logistics, and hours of staff time just to move people a few miles.
And for the people being released? They were technically free but still sitting on a bus, watching the streets go by, knowing they were cleared but not actually out. Most of them did not need the bus station or the train station — they just wanted to go home. Instead they were looking out the window thinking: I am free, but I am going to spend two to four more hours on this bus going nowhere.
They stopped doing it years ago. Theo Lacy now releases everyone on site — you walk out the door and you are done. If you find old forum posts, old bail bond websites, or outdated information saying releases happen at IRC, that information is no longer accurate.
Common Bail Amounts at Theo Lacy / OC Jail
These are typical Orange County bail schedule amounts. Judges may raise or lower bail at arraignment. Most of Chad's bonds are written at 6%, 7% or 8%. Smaller bonds, under $20,000, can be up to 10% because of posting fees.
| Charge | Bail Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| DUI (VC 23152) | $5,000 | $500 |
| Domestic Violence (PC 273.5) | $50,000 | $5,000 |
| Drug Possession (HSC 11350) | $10,000 | $1,000 |
| Drug Sales (HSC 11351) | $30,000 | $3,000 |
| Assault w/ Deadly Weapon (PC 245) | $30,000 | $3,000 |
| Robbery (PC 211) | $100,000 | $10,000 |
| Burglary (PC 459) | $50,000 | $5,000 |
| Theft / Grand Theft (PC 487) | $20,000 | $2,000 |
| Evading Police (VC 2800.2) | $25,000 | $2,500 |
| Vandalism (PC 594) | $10,000 | $1,000 |
* PC 1275 holds may require a source-of-funds hearing before bail is accepted. Call Chad if you’re unsure — he’ll tell you exactly what to expect.
Need Bail Right Now?
Call Chad directly — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No call centers, no runaround.
855-BAD-CHAD