Merced County Main Jail
Address: 700 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340
Main Phone: (209) 385-7410
Operated by: Merced County Sheriff's Office
Inmate Search: Official Inmate Inquiry Portal
Bail Bond: (209) 400-2245 , available 24/7
The Merced County Main Jail is the primary detention facility for the Merced County Sheriff's Office. It houses individuals awaiting arraignment, adjudication, and those serving post-conviction sentences for Merced County courts.
John Latorraca Correctional Facility (JLCC)
Address: 2584 W. Sandy Mush Rd., El Nido, CA 95317
Main Phone: (209) 385-7575
Operated by: Merced County Sheriff's Office
Inmate Search: Official Inmate Inquiry Portal
Bail Bond: (209) 400-2245 , available 24/7
The JLCC is a second Merced County facility located in El Nido. Defendants are often transferred here from the Main Jail after initial booking. We post bonds at this facility 24 hours a day.
How to Find Someone in Merced County Jail
If you received a call saying someone you know was arrested in Merced County, the first step is confirming where they are being held and what the bail amount is. There are three ways to do this:
1. Use the Official Online Inmate Search
The Merced County Sheriff's Office maintains an official inmate inquiry portal that allows you to search for anyone currently in custody. You can search by first name, last name, or booking number. The portal shows current custody status, charges, and bail amount.
2. Call the Jail Directly
Call the Merced County Main Jail at (209) 385-7410 or the John Latorraca Facility at (209) 385-7575. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready. Jail staff can confirm whether someone is in custody and provide booking information.
3. Call Our Bail Agents
Call Merced County Bail Bonds at (209) 400-2245. We will do the inmate lookup for you at no charge. We have direct access to the Merced County booking system and can confirm custody status, bail amount, and estimated processing times within minutes.
Quick Reference
- Main Jail Phone(209) 385-7410
- JLCC Phone(209) 385-7575
- Inmate SearchOfficial Portal
- Court Recordsmerced.courts.ca.gov
- Post Bail 24/7(209) 400-2245
- Sheriff WebsiteMerced County Sheriff
The Merced County Booking and Bail Process
Understanding the process from arrest to release can help you act quickly and minimize the time your loved one spends in custody.
Arrest and Transport
After arrest by Merced County Sheriff deputies or local police, the defendant is transported to the Merced County Main Jail at 700 W. 22nd Street for booking. Some defendants are later transferred to John Latorraca.
Booking
Jail staff record personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, inventory personal property, and enter the arrest into the system. A bail amount is set based on the Merced County bail schedule or a judge's order.
Bond Posted
Once the booking number is available, a licensed bail agent can post the surety bond. Call (209) 400-2245 immediately. We can post bonds within 1 to 2 hours of booking in most cases.
Release
After the bond is delivered to the jail, release processing typically takes 4 to 8 hours. The defendant must then appear at all court dates at Merced County Superior Court.
Merced County Superior Court
All criminal cases in Merced County are heard at the Merced County Superior Court, located at 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340. Court phone: (209) 725-7100.
The court also has a branch courthouse in Los Banos at 445 J Street for local proceedings. Defendants who are released on bail must appear at every scheduled hearing. Missing a court date results in a bench warrant and possible bail forfeiture.
The court publishes the annual Merced County bail schedule, which sets standard bail amounts by charge type. For more detail on how bail amounts are set, see our Merced County Bail Schedule guide.
Merced County Superior Court
Main Courthouse: 627 W. 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340
Court Phone: (209) 725-7100
Los Banos Branch: 445 J Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
Court Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Court Website: merced.courts.ca.gov
Frequently Asked Questions About Merced County Jail
After a bail bond is posted, the Merced County Main Jail typically processes release within 4 to 8 hours. John Latorraca has similar times. Processing depends on how busy the facility is, shift changes, and other administrative factors. We stay in contact with you throughout and provide real-time updates.
Yes. We post bail bonds at both the Merced County Main Jail and the John Latorraca Correctional Facility (JLCC) 24 hours a day. Many defendants are transferred to JLCC after initial booking at the Main Jail. Call us immediately once you know where your loved one is being held and we will begin the process.
Visiting hours at the Merced County Main Jail and JLCC vary and are subject to change. Contact the Main Jail at (209) 385-7410 or the JLCC at (209) 385-7575 for current visiting schedules. Note that defendants who are out on bail are not subject to these restrictions.
If a defendant misses a scheduled court date at Merced County Superior Court, the judge will typically issue a bench warrant for their arrest and may order the bail forfeited. This means the person who signed the bond is at risk of losing the premium paid and any collateral. If a court date was missed, call us at (209) 400-2245 immediately.
Both the Merced County Main Jail and the John Latorraca Correctional Facility are operated by the Merced County Sheriff-Coroner's Office. The Sheriff is responsible for all law enforcement in unincorporated Merced County areas and for operating both detention facilities.
Related Resources
- Merced County Bail Schedule 2025, How bail amounts are set for every charge type
- What to Do When Someone is Arrested in Merced County, Step-by-step action guide
- Merced County Bail Bond Services, All charge types we handle
- Merced County Warrant Check, Free active warrant search
- Bail Bonds in Merced, CA, City-specific information
- Bail Bonds at John Latorraca (El Nido), JLCC specific guide