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Philadelphia PA Bail Bonds

Local Jail, Court & Police District Guide

A Philadelphia arrest usually involves three separate offices: a police district, a bail commissioner and, if bail is not met, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. This guide explains each step, where people are held and which court handles the case.

Our office is at 1238 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Center City Bail Bonds is a private company, not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia, its courts or the Philadelphia Police Department.

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For adult bail assistance inquiries. This is not an inmate search, a court filing or a government bail payment portal. Please do not enter information about a minor.

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Why Choose Center City Bail Bonds?

Families facing a Philadelphia arrest need accurate information and a team that knows which office handles each step. Our availability is separate from court schedules and case decisions.

  • 01

    Available 24 Hours a Day

    Philadelphia's preliminary arraignment courtroom runs around the clock, and so does our phone line. Our availability does not change court schedules or guarantee a particular outcome.

  • 02

    A South Street Office

    Our one office is at 1238 South Street in South Philadelphia. We do not claim neighborhood branches, and we are not part of any city agency or court.

  • 03

    Clear Bail Information

    A bail commissioner sets bail. We explain the difference between paying the court directly and a private surety bond before you decide anything.

  • 04

    Help Finding the Right Office

    Police districts, the Stout Center and the four PDP facilities each answer different questions. We point you to the official source for each one.

  • 05

    Confidential and Respectful

    Families call us at difficult moments. We handle adult bail inquiries with care. Please do not share details about a minor through our form.

  • 06

    Written Terms Before You Sign

    If a surety bond fits the case, every fee, collateral term and co-signer duty is explained in writing first. No rate is quoted on this page.

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How Bail Works in Philadelphia

Most adult arrests in Philadelphia follow these five steps. Judicial authorities decide eligibility, bail and conditions; no release time or commercial terms are promised.

How Bail Bonds Work in Pennsylvania

Municipal Court Criminal Division(opens in a new tab)Bail Interviewing Unit(opens in a new tab)Pa.R.Crim.P. 524(opens in a new tab)

Need help understanding the bail process?

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  1. Step 1: Arrest and Police Processing

    The arresting officers take the person to a police processing location. The FJD's Bail Interviewing Unit works 24 hours a day and interviews recently arrested people by video at one of seven processing locations around the city.

    At this stage the person may not appear in the city's inmate locator yet.

  2. Step 2: Preliminary Arraignment

    The courts say preliminary arraignment is usually held within about 24 hours of arrest. A Municipal Court bail commissioner reviews the complaint, reads the charges, sets bail and sets the next court date.

    The FJD lists its Preliminary Arraignment Courtroom as open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

  3. Step 3: Bail Decision

    Release may be on recognizance, on nonmonetary or unsecured conditions, or on monetary bail. In limited cases bail may be denied.

    When monetary bail is set, the order controls how it can be met: the full amount, a percentage deposit if the bail authority permits it, or a surety bond.

  4. Step 4: Posting Bail

    The FJD lists 24-hour in-person bail acceptance at the Stout Center's basement-level Payment Center, 1301 Filbert Street. Confirm the current counter with Bail Acceptance at 215-683-7727.

    Eligible Municipal Court bail can be paid online through PAePay Bail. A private surety bond is a separate written agreement with a bail bond company.

  5. Step 5: Release and Court Dates

    If bail is met and no other holds apply, release processing follows. No release time is guaranteed.

    Every condition must be followed and every court date attended. A missed date can lead to a bench warrant and forfeiture of bail.

Client Reviews

Choosing a bail bond service is a big decision, especially when time is short.

Read what Philadelphia families say about us on Google, and contact us with any questions about your situation.

Bail Bond Charges We Handle

Explore existing service guides for Philadelphia matters. A charge category does not guarantee bail eligibility or commercial surety; the judicial authority decides release conditions.

  • DUI Bail Bonds

    Understand release procedures after a DUI arrest.

    View Service

  • Felony Bail Bonds

    Explore release options for serious felony allegations.

    View Service

  • Misdemeanor Bail Bonds

    Understand misdemeanor classifications and release options.

    View Service

  • Assault Bail Bonds

    Assistance with Pennsylvania assault-related bail requirements.

    View Service

  • Drug Charge Bail Bonds

    Bail information for possession, PWID, and delivery charges.

    View Service

  • Warrant Bail Bonds

    Guidance on warrants and court-authorized bail arrangements.

    View Service
View All Bail Bond Services

Bail Costs & Payment Options

In Philadelphia the bail amount and type come from the bail commissioner or judge, not from a jail or a bail bond company. Paying the court directly and arranging a private surety bond are different obligations.

  • Full Cash Bail

    The full amount set by the court, paid through the FJD. The FJD says it keeps 30% of cash bail (at least $10, at most $1,500) as an administrative cost when the case ends.

  • Percentage Deposit

    When the bail authority permits it, Pennsylvania Rule 528 allows a deposit of up to 10% of the full amount. The order on the docket says whether this applies.

  • Accepted Court Payments

    The FJD lists cash, major credit and debit cards except American Express (the card user becomes the surety), certified bank checks on weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and real estate equity covering 100% of the bail.

  • Private Surety Bond

    A bail bond company guarantees the full amount under a written agreement. Fees, collateral and co-signer duties belong in that agreement, not in a city payment.

Commercial Terms & Responsibilities

No commercial rate, financing offer or calculator is shown while Center City's Philadelphia terms are under review. Ask for every fee and obligation in writing before you sign.

FJD Bail FAQ(opens in a new tab)Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(opens in a new tab)Pa.R.Crim.P. 524(opens in a new tab)PAePay Bail(opens in a new tab)

Philadelphia Jails & Inmate Search

Philadelphia's city jails are run by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP). Because the city and county are one government, there is no separate county jail and no municipal jail in any neighborhood.

The PDP operates four facilities, all on State Road in Northeast Philadelphia. The PDP decides where each person is housed, and the city's official locator shows the current facility.

  • City Jail · Largest PDP FacilityCurran-Fromhold Correctional Facility

    Opened in 1995 with four housing buildings and an administration building. The city identifies CFCF as the largest PDP facility.

    7901 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136

    215-685-7843

    View CFCF GuideGet Directions(opens in a new tab)

  • City Jail · PDP Medical UnitPhiladelphia Detention Center

    Opened in 1963 and now the PDP's medical unit, housing people who need medical and behavioral health inpatient treatment, including a 99-bed health services wing.

    8201 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136

    215-685-8436

    View DC GuideGet Directions(opens in a new tab)

  • City Jail · Adult MenPhiladelphia Industrial Correctional Center

    Opened in 1986 as the first PDP facility built for unit management, with 13 housing units. The city states PICC houses adult men.

    8301 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136

    215-685-7100

    View PICC GuideGet Directions(opens in a new tab)

  • City Jail · PDP FacilityRiverside Correctional Facility

    Opened in June 2004. A three-story facility with its own intake and discharge area, medical and behavioral health treatment areas, and law and leisure libraries.

    8151 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136

    215-685-6911

    View RCF GuideGet Directions(opens in a new tab)

The Federal Detention Center at 700 Arch Street is a federal facility, and youth detention is handled by the city's Department of Human Services. Neither is a PDP facility or part of the city locator.

Philadelphia Jails DirectoryPDP Facilities (official)(opens in a new tab)

Inmate Search & Custody Checks

  1. 01

    Legal Name and Date of Birth

    The city locator needs a full name and date of birth, or a police identification number (PID). Middle names help avoid a mistaken match.

  2. 02

    Official PDP Locator

    Search the city's locator. It covers the four PDP facilities only, not police processing, state prisons or federal custody.

  3. 03

    Call Registration

    No result? Call PDP Classification, Movement and Registration, open 24/7, at 215-685-8394. A missing result is not proof of release.

  4. 04

    Check the Docket

    The Pennsylvania court portal shows the case, court and bail entries. A docket is not a live custody report.

Center City Bail Bonds does not run an inmate database. This page has no search box and collects no custody details outside the adult form.

Find an InmateOfficial PDP Locator(opens in a new tab)PA Court Records(opens in a new tab)

Philadelphia Criminal Courts

Philadelphia's courts are the First Judicial District (FJD): the Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas. Criminal cases begin in Municipal Court. Divisions are not interchangeable, and only the Stout Center Payment Center and PAePay Bail are listed by the FJD for adult criminal bail.

Main Criminal CourthouseJustice Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice

The FJD lists Municipal Court Criminal Division administration and the Court of Common Pleas Trial Division, Criminal, at this building, along with the 24-hour Preliminary Arraignment Courtroom and 24-hour bail acceptance. Not every criminal hearing happens here; the court notice or docket gives the location.

Bail counter check. Older court publications name different rooms: the Municipal Court Citizens' Guide (PDF dated 2009) says Room B-01, and a Pretrial Services FAQ (PDF dated 2004) says Room B-03. The FJD's current FAQ says only "Basement Level in the Payment Center." The current window has not been confirmed, so call Bail Acceptance at 215-683-7727 before you travel. The preliminary arraignment courtroom is not a bail payment window, and not every bond type is processed at one counter.

Address
1301 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Bail Acceptance (24 hours)
215-683-7727
Criminal Division Administration
215-683-7290
View Court Guide

Court Divisions Explained

A division is not the same as a building or a payment window. Use the docket to see which court has the case.

  • Municipal CourtCriminal Division

    Preliminary arraignments, misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Courtrooms are in the Stout Center and in several police districts.

    Adult Criminal CaseOfficial Court Page(opens in a new tab)

  • Court of Common PleasTrial Division, Criminal

    Felony cases held for court, homicide cases and Municipal Court appeals. Later bail questions may be heard by a Common Pleas judge.

    Adult Criminal CaseOfficial Court Page(opens in a new tab)

  • Common PleasFamily Court

    Domestic relations and the Juvenile Branch at 1501 Arch Street. Not an adult bail location.

    Not an Adult Bail LocationOfficial Court Page(opens in a new tab)

  • Municipal CourtTraffic and Civil

    Traffic citations at 800 Spring Garden Street; small claims and landlord-tenant cases at 1339 Chestnut Street. No adult criminal bail role.

    Not an Adult Bail LocationOfficial Court Page(opens in a new tab)

Philadelphia Courthouses DirectoryFJD Court Locations(opens in a new tab)

Philadelphia Police & Neighborhoods

The U.S. Census Bureau describes Philadelphia County and the City of Philadelphia as governmentally consolidated, sharing one boundary. Unlike Delaware or Montgomery County, there are no separate boroughs, townships or incorporated cities inside it.

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) patrols the whole city. Its official directory lists 21 police districts. After an arrest, the district where the incident happened matters more than a home address or neighborhood name.

We help families throughout the city from one office at 1238 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. We do not have neighborhood branches.

City & County Boundary
1
Police Districts
21
PDP Facilities
4
Judicial District
1st

  • 21 Police Districts

    Use the PPD's official district directory to find the district for the incident location. A district station is not a jail or a bail office.

  • Recent Arrests

    Someone arrested recently may still be with the police awaiting preliminary arraignment. Contact the district for the incident area, or call 311 for city information.

  • Courtrooms in Districts

    Some Municipal Court criminal courtrooms sit in police districts. The court notice or docket gives the actual location.

For emergencies, dial 911. Police district contacts are not a live custody line, and staff may limit what they share by phone. PPD District Directory (official)(opens in a new tab)

Broad Areas of the City

  • Center City
  • North Philadelphia
  • South Philadelphia
  • West Philadelphia
  • Northeast Philadelphia
  • Northwest Philadelphia

These broad area names are for orientation only. They are not municipalities, court districts or police districts, and no area has its own jail or bail court.

U.S. Census Bureau Pennsylvania Geography Guide(opens in a new tab)

What Information Do You Need to Start?

You can begin an adult bail inquiry without every detail. Share what you know, and confirm custody and case details with the official sources above.

  • 01

    Full Legal Name

    First, middle and last name, plus any other names the person uses. Correct spelling helps officials find the right record.

  • 02

    Date of Birth or PID

    The city locator needs a date of birth or a police identification number (PID). You can start an inquiry without them.

  • 03

    Where the Arrest Happened

    The street or area of the incident and the arresting agency, if known. This points to the right police district.

  • 04

    Possible Facility

    Still in police processing, or one of the four PDP facilities? Tell us what you know; an unknown location is fine.

  • 05

    Docket Number and Bail Order

    A docket number (Municipal Court numbers begin MC-51-CR) and the bail amount or type, if set. Please do not upload court documents.

  • 06

    Your Contact Details

    Your name, phone and relationship to the person, so our team can reply. This form is not a government custody search.

Get Bail Help

Common Criminal Charges and Bail

These Pennsylvania examples distinguish the conduct charged, offense grading and judicial release decisions. They are educational, not legal advice or a promise that a charge qualifies for commercial surety.

  • DUI

    75 Pa.C.S. §§ 3802, 3803

    Section 3802 distinguishes general impairment, alcohol-concentration tiers and controlled-substance driving offenses. Section 3803 supplies grading; the charged subsection and prior offenses matter.

    Classification

    DUI is not a single uniform grade. Misdemeanor or felony grading depends on the statutory tier, history and other specified circumstances.

    Bail considerations. The court considers the case and release factors; a DUI allegation does not establish a fixed bail amount or an automatic surety option.

    DUI Bail Bonds
    DUI offenses(opens in a new tab)DUI grading(opens in a new tab)

  • Drug Charges

    35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16), (a)(30)

    The Controlled Substance Act distinguishes unauthorized possession from manufacture, delivery and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver. The substance and alleged conduct affect the applicable provision.

    Classification

    Simple possession and possession with intent to deliver are different allegations with different penalty provisions. Do not infer a grade from the words ‘drug charge’ alone.

    Bail considerations. A judicial authority evaluates release independently of the label. Other holds or conditions can prevent release even after a monetary condition is satisfied.

    Drug Charge Bail Bonds
    Controlled Substance Act · § 13(opens in a new tab)

  • Assault

    18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2701, 2702

    Simple assault and aggravated assault have separate elements. Allegations involving injury, intent, weapons or protected victims can affect which subsection applies.

    Classification

    Simple assault has misdemeanor grading with statutory exceptions. Aggravated assault has felony grading that depends on the subsection; the two offenses are not interchangeable.

    Bail considerations. Safety concerns and case circumstances may affect monetary and nonmonetary conditions. No charge title guarantees monetary release.

    Assault Bail Bonds
    Simple assault(opens in a new tab)Aggravated assault(opens in a new tab)

  • Theft and Burglary

    18 Pa.C.S. §§ 3921, 3903, 3502

    Theft by unlawful taking addresses unlawful control of property. Burglary concerns entry into specified premises with intent to commit a crime and has its own statutory elements.

    Classification

    Theft grading can depend on value, property type and statutory circumstances. Burglary is a separate felony offense with its own grading distinctions—not simply theft with a different name.

    Bail considerations. The judicial authority considers the actual allegation and release factors. A property's value alone is not a bail quotation.

    Theft Bail BondsBurglary Bail Bonds
    Theft(opens in a new tab)Theft grading(opens in a new tab)Burglary(opens in a new tab)

  • Domestic Violence

    18 Pa.C.S. § 2711 · Pa.R.Crim.P. 526

    Domestic violence describes a context, not one universal offense. The underlying charge may involve assault or other conduct; § 2711 addresses specified offenses involving family or household members and case-specific bail considerations.

    Classification

    Grading follows the offense actually charged, not the relationship label. Protective orders and judicial no-contact conditions require separate attention.

    Bail considerations. Section 2711 includes a threat-to-victim determination in covered cases. Obey all imposed restrictions; payment does not cancel a protective order or guarantee release.

    Domestic Violence Bail Bonds
    Domestic violence provisions(opens in a new tab)General bail conditions(opens in a new tab)

  • Warrants and Failure to Appear

    18 Pa.C.S. § 5124 · Pa.R.Crim.P. 536

    A warrant is a court process, not a universal new charge. Section 5124 addresses default in a required appearance after court-ordered release, without lawful excuse; whether a separate offense applies depends on its elements.

    Classification

    The statutory default offense has specified grading distinctions. An outstanding warrant or detainer can also require judicial action independently of a new charge.

    Bail considerations. Rule 536 permits changes to conditions, revocation, bench warrants and forfeiture after violations. Paying a bond does not automatically clear a warrant or restore release.

    Warrant Bail BondsFailure to Appear Bail Bonds
    Default in required appearance(opens in a new tab)Violation of bail conditions(opens in a new tab)

Release factors are case-specific under Pa.R.Crim.P. 523(opens in a new tab). Statutory changes and the actual charged subsection can affect a case. This information is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Court procedures and individual circumstances may vary. Confirm case-specific requirements with the appropriate court or a qualified attorney.

Philadelphia Bail Bonds FAQs

Short answers about arrests, custody, courts and bail in the City of Philadelphia.

Get Bail Help

After police processing, a Municipal Court bail commissioner holds a preliminary arraignment, usually within about 24 hours of arrest, and sets bail and conditions. Release depends on meeting those conditions and on any other holds.

Start with the city's official locator, then call PDP Registration (24/7) at 215-685-8394 if no result appears. If the arrest was recent, the person may still be with the police district for the incident area.

Yes. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons publishes a public locator. It needs a full name and date of birth, or a police identification number (PID), and covers the four PDP facilities only.

Adults committed to city custody are held in one of four PDP facilities on State Road: CFCF, the Detention Center, PICC or Riverside. Federal and youth detention are separate systems.

A Municipal Court bail commissioner. The FJD's Bail Interviewing Unit first interviews the person by video, and the commissioner reviews the complaint, reads the charges and sets bail and the next court date.

Attend every court date on time at the listed courtroom and follow every condition. A missed date can lead to a bench warrant and bail forfeiture, and a surety can be liable for the full amount.

Cash bail is paid to the court: the full amount, or a percentage deposit if the bail authority permits it. A surety bond is a private written agreement in which a bail bond company guarantees the full amount.

The FJD lists 24-hour in-person bail acceptance at the Stout Center's basement-level Payment Center, 1301 Filbert Street, and PAePay Bail online for eligible cases. Older guides name different rooms, so call Bail Acceptance at 215-683-7727 before traveling.

They may still be in police processing, held by another agency, released, or the name or date of birth may not match. A missing result is not proof of release. Call PDP Registration or the police district.

The person's full name, date of birth or PID, where the arrest happened, any docket number and the bail order, plus your contact details. You can reach out without every item.

No release time is guaranteed. It depends on court paperwork, PDP processing and any detainers or holds from other places, even after bail is posted.

Yes. They share one boundary and one consolidated government. Neighborhoods such as South or Northeast Philadelphia are parts of the city, not separate municipalities with their own courts or jails.

Philadelphia Resources & Nearby County Guides

Detailed Philadelphia guides on this site, plus the two neighboring county hubs we cover. Philadelphia has no separate towns, so there is no list of nearby municipalities here.

  • Delaware County Hub

    Courts, the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and local guides for Delaware County.

    View Delaware County

  • Montgomery County Hub

    Courts, county custody and local guides for Montgomery County.

    View Montgomery County

Official Government Sources

Official PDP Locator(opens in a new tab)PDP Facilities(opens in a new tab)FJD Bail FAQ(opens in a new tab)PA UJS Case Search(opens in a new tab)PPD District Directory(opens in a new tab)PAePay Bail(opens in a new tab)

Official facts on this page were read on 2026-10-19. Policies change; the official page controls. Center City Bail Bonds is a private business, not part of the City of Philadelphia, the courts, the PDP or the Police Department.

Visit Our Philadelphia Office

Center City Bail Bonds

1238 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

(215) 870-8197

24/7 bail assistance

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