339 REVIEWS
CONTACT US BOOK A CALL telephone
TALK TO AN ATTORNEY 24/7
1(877)343-1031
contact us phone

Arrested in Howard County, MD? Steps to Take Right Now

If someone you care about was just arrested in Howard County, here is exactly what you need to know: they are likely being taken to the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup for booking. Do not let them speak to police. Do not discuss the case on jail phone calls. And call a criminal defense attorney now. FrizWoods has a Columbia office and appears in Howard County District and Circuit Courts regularly.

What to Do Right Now

The clock starts the moment of the arrest. These steps can protect your loved one's rights and improve their chances at the bail hearing:

  1. Stay calm. You need a clear head to make good decisions for your family.
  2. Do not let them speak to police. Tell them to say only: "I want a lawyer." Police will try to get a statement. That statement becomes the prosecution's evidence.
  3. Find out where they are being held. In Howard County, most arrests lead to the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup. Call the facility or search VineLink to confirm.
  4. Do not discuss the case on recorded jail calls. Every call from the detention center is recorded. Prosecutors listen to them. Talk about "getting a lawyer" and nothing else.
  5. Contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Call FrizWoods now. We answer 24/7 and can be at the Howard County courthouse for the next bail hearing.

Howard County Detention Center (Jessup)

The Howard County Detention Center in Jessup is where most people arrested in Howard County are processed. The facility handles booking, initial commissioner reviews, and pretrial holding.

What happens during booking:

  • Fingerprinting and photographs
  • Collection and inventory of personal property
  • Medical screening
  • Review of charges by a commissioner

Howard County tends to process arrests more efficiently than larger jurisdictions. Booking typically takes 2 to 5 hours, though delays can happen on weekends or during busy periods.

Bail Hearings in Howard County

After booking, a commissioner conducts the initial bail review. The commissioner can release your loved one on recognizance, set a cash bail, or hold without bond.

If the commissioner denies bail or sets a bail your family cannot afford, the next step is a bail review before a District Court judge.

Howard County Bail Hearing Schedule

Howard County bail hearings are generally faster and more streamlined than those in larger counties like Prince George's:

  • District Court bail reviews: 11:00 AM
  • Circuit Court bail reviews: 8:30 to 9:00 AM

The Howard County District Court is located in Ellicott City. This is where most misdemeanor bail hearings and initial felony appearances take place.

At the judge-level hearing, an attorney can argue for release on conditions like pretrial supervision, GPS monitoring, or an unsecured bond. Judges in Howard County have a wider range of release options than commissioners. A bail review lawyer who knows the local judges and practices can present a compelling case for release.

What Happens After Bail

Once your loved one is released, there are important obligations ahead:

  • Release conditions. The judge may impose restrictions like no contact with the alleged victim, curfew, drug testing, or check-ins with pretrial services.
  • Protective orders. In domestic cases, a temporary protective order may be issued at the bail hearing. Violating it leads to immediate re-arrest.
  • First court date. Misdemeanor arraignments in Howard County District Court are typically set within 30 days. Felonies may be indicted by a grand jury and moved to Circuit Court, which can take several weeks.

Do not miss any scheduled court appearance. A missed date results in a bench warrant for arrest.

Howard County Courts

Howard County has two court levels:

  • District Court (Ellicott City) - Handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, and initial felony appearances including bail reviews.
  • Circuit Court (Ellicott City) - Handles felony trials, indictments, and serious criminal matters.

Both courts are located in Ellicott City. FrizWoods attorneys appear here regularly and know the judges, prosecutors, and local procedures.

Common Mistakes Families Make

Talking to detectives

If a detective contacts you, you are not obligated to answer questions. Say "I need to speak with my attorney" and end the conversation.

Posting on social media

Do not post anything about the arrest, the charges, or the circumstances online. Howard County prosecutors monitor social media.

Waiting to hire a lawyer

Howard County bail hearings happen quickly, often by 11:00 AM the next day. If you wait to hire an attorney, your loved one may face the judge alone. That usually means a worse outcome.

Discussing facts on jail phones

All calls from the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup are recorded. Prosecutors use these recordings. Keep conversations to logistics only.

Why FrizWoods for Howard County

FrizWoods has an office in Columbia and regularly handles cases in Howard County District and Circuit Courts. Our attorneys know the local landscape:

  • Max Frizalone is a former prosecutor and public defender who has tried cases across Maryland, including Howard County.
  • Luke Woods has over 20 years of criminal defense experience and deep familiarity with the Howard County court system.
  • With offices in four Maryland counties, FrizWoods responds fast wherever the arrest happened.

We handle the full range of Howard County criminal charges, from DUI to drug offenses to assault to felonies.

Call FrizWoods Now - 24/7 Arrest Help

If someone you care about is at the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup right now, do not wait. Contact us immediately. We respond day and night and can have an attorney at the next bail hearing in Ellicott City.

(410) 346-9384 | (301) 720-1917

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does booking take at the Howard County Detention Center?

Booking at the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup typically takes 2 to 5 hours. Howard County tends to process arrests faster than larger jurisdictions, though weekends can be busier.

When are bail hearings in Howard County?

District Court bail review hearings in Howard County are held at 11:00 AM. Circuit Court bail hearings are held between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Both courts are located in Ellicott City.

Are jail phone calls recorded at the Howard County Detention Center?

Yes. All calls from the Howard County Detention Center are recorded and can be used as evidence. Do not discuss case details over the phone.

Can I bail someone out the same day in Howard County?

Yes. A commissioner reviews bail shortly after booking and is available 24/7. If a cash bail is set and you can post it, your loved one can be released the same day.

Do I need a lawyer before the Howard County bail hearing?

Yes. An attorney can present a release plan, argue for reasonable bail, and communicate directly with the judge. Defendants without representation at bail hearings often face higher bail or no release.

Where is the Howard County courthouse?

Both the Howard County District Court and Circuit Court are located in Ellicott City, Maryland. FrizWoods' Columbia office is nearby and our attorneys appear in these courts regularly.

Related Pages


Related resources