Just Arrested in Anne Arundel County? Immediate Steps
Finding out a loved one has been arrested is terrifying. But you need to keep a clear head.
If the arrest happened in Anne Arundel County (Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Pasadena, Arnold, Edgewater, Odenton, etc.), they are likely at the Jennifer Road Detention Center.
Here is your game plan for the next 24 hours.
1. Silence is Safety
The most dangerous time for a defendant is the ride to the station and the time in the booking cell. Police will try to get them to talk.
Rule #1: Do not talk to the police.
Tell your loved one to politely say: "I am asserting my right to remain silent and I want a lawyer." Then stop talking.
It does not matter what the officers say. They may tell your loved one it will "look better" if they cooperate or that they "just want to hear your side." None of that is true in a way that helps your loved one. Every word spoken without a lawyer present is a risk.
2. Locate Your Loved One
Most Anne Arundel County arrests go to:
- Facility: Jennifer Road Detention Center
- Location: Annapolis, MD
- Search: Check VineLink to see if they have been processed.
Booking usually takes 2 to 6 hours. Weekends and high-DUI-volume nights (holidays, summer weekends) can push that timeline longer. During booking, your loved one will not have access to their personal phone. Once the process is complete, they can call from the detention center's phone system.
3. The Jail Phone Trap
Calls from Jennifer Road are recorded. Prosecutors listen to them.
Never discuss the facts of the case on the phone.
- Don't ask "Did you do it?"
- Don't ask "What happened?"
- Don't ask about who was there or what the police said
- Just say "I am calling a lawyer."
Even if your loved one starts to tell you their side of the story, stop them. Remind them the call is recorded. Keep every conversation to: "We love you. We are hiring a lawyer. Do not talk to anyone about the case."
4. Understand What Happens During Booking
After arriving at the Jennifer Road Detention Center, your loved one goes through a standard booking process:
- Identification and fingerprinting. Photographs, fingerprints, and personal information are collected.
- Property intake. Belongings are inventoried and stored.
- Medical screening. A basic health assessment is conducted.
- Charging documents. The arresting officer prepares a statement of charges for the commissioner.
Anne Arundel County sees a high volume of arrests, especially DUI cases. Booking times can vary significantly depending on how busy the facility is that night.
5. The Commissioner Review
After booking, a commissioner conducts the initial bail determination. Commissioners are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
The commissioner decides:
- Release on recognizance (ROR). No money required. Your loved one promises to appear in court.
- Cash bail. A dollar amount must be posted before release.
- Hold without bond. Your loved one remains in custody until a judge reviews the case.
If cash bail is set, you have two options. You can post the full amount yourself at the Jennifer Road Detention Center (this money is returned after the case resolves), or you can use a bail bondsman who typically charges around 10% of the total bail as a non-refundable fee. If the bail is $15,000, a bondsman charges $1,500 that you will never see again. If your family can afford the full amount, posting it yourselves saves that fee. For the full walkthrough, read How to Bail Someone Out in Anne Arundel County.
6. The Bail Hearing
After booking, a commissioner sets initial bail. If they aren't released, they will see a judge the next business day.
Anne Arundel County has two District Court locations with different hearing times:
- Annapolis District Court: Hearings usually at 10:30 AM.
- Glen Burnie District Court: Hearings usually at 1:30 PM.
Which courthouse handles the case depends on where the arrest occurred. Cases from Annapolis, Severna Park, Arnold, and Edgewater areas typically go to Annapolis. Cases from Glen Burnie, Brooklyn Park, Pasadena, and Odenton go to Glen Burnie.
Having a lawyer at this hearing is critical. A judge has far more options than a commissioner:
- Lower the cash bail
- Switch to an unsecured bond (no money required upfront)
- Order pretrial supervision with conditions like GPS monitoring, drug testing, or check-ins
- Release on recognizance
We can argue for release, lower bail, or house arrest instead of jail time.
- Read More: Bail Hearings in Anne Arundel County
- Posting Bail: How to Bail Someone Out in Anne Arundel
7. DUI Arrests in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County has one of the highest DUI arrest rates in Maryland. If the arrest was for DUI, the bail process generally moves faster. Most first-offense DUI arrests result in release on recognizance or a low cash bail from the commissioner.
But factors like a high blood alcohol level, prior DUI convictions, refusal of a breathalyzer, or an accident with injuries can lead to higher bail or a hold without bond. If the arrest was DUI-related, see our Anne Arundel County DUI Arrest page for specific guidance.
8. How Families Can Prepare for the Hearing
If the bail hearing is tomorrow, here is how to prepare tonight:
- Gather community ties information. Write down your loved one's employer, home address, length of residency, family connections, and any community involvement. Judges want to see roots.
- Be prepared to testify. Family members can speak at the bail hearing about the defendant's character, daily routine, and responsibilities. If your loved one has kids, a job, or other dependents, the judge needs to hear that.
- Call a lawyer tonight. Whether the hearing is at 10:30 AM in Annapolis or 1:30 PM in Glen Burnie, an attorney needs time to build a release plan. Do not wait until the morning of the hearing to start looking.
- Understand the financial options. If cash bail is set, know how much your family can post. If you can cover the full amount, do it and avoid the bondsman fee. If not, expect to pay a bondsman around 10% of the total bail, which is non-refundable.
9. Contact FrizWoods
We have an office in Severna Park and we are in the Annapolis and Glen Burnie courts constantly. We know how to handle Anne Arundel County cases.
Time is tight for bail hearings. Call us immediately so we can prepare.
- Max Frizalone, former prosecutor, handles bail hearings across Anne Arundel County.
- Luke Woods brings 20+ years of criminal defense experience to the courtroom.
Call 24/7: (410) 883-5667
What If the First Bail Hearing Doesn't Work?
If the judge denies bail at the first hearing, it is not necessarily over. A defense attorney can file a motion for a second bail review by showing a "change in circumstances." This could include:
- A completed substance abuse evaluation or enrollment in treatment
- A stronger release plan with verified housing and supervision
- A job confirmation letter from an employer
- New evidence or resolution of a related case in another jurisdiction
A second bail review requires real preparation and a concrete reason for the court to reconsider. This is handled by an experienced bail review lawyer.
After Release: What to Know
Getting out on bail is not the end of the process. It is the start:
- Court dates are mandatory. Missing a court date triggers a bench warrant, forfeiture of bail money, and re-arrest. Mark every date on a calendar and set reminders.
- Release conditions are enforceable. The judge may have imposed no-contact orders, drug testing, curfew, or pretrial supervision. Violating any condition means re-arrest and bail revocation.
- Protective orders in domestic cases. If the arrest was domestic-related, a protective order may be in place. Violating it is a separate criminal charge, even if the alleged victim initiates contact.
- Bail money. If you posted the full cash bail, it is returned after the case resolves. Bondsman fees are never returned.
Common Mistakes After an Anne Arundel County Arrest
Going to the hearing without a lawyer
Whether it is the 10:30 AM hearing in Annapolis or the 1:30 PM hearing in Glen Burnie, showing up without a lawyer dramatically reduces the chances of a favorable outcome. A lawyer who knows the Anne Arundel judges and can present a release plan makes a real difference.
Paying a bondsman when you can post the full amount
If your family has the cash, post it yourselves. You save the bondsman's fee and get every dollar back when the case ends.
Discussing the case on recorded calls
All calls from the Jennifer Road Detention Center are recorded. Prosecutors review them. Do not discuss what happened, who was involved, or what the evidence might be. Keep it to: "We have a lawyer. We love you."
Posting on social media
Prosecutors routinely check social media. Do not post anything about the arrest, the charges, the alleged victim, or the circumstances of the case.
Talking to police without a lawyer present
Police may approach family members for information or try to get your loved one to make a statement. You are under no obligation to cooperate. Politely decline and direct all inquiries to your attorney.
Helpful Links for Anne Arundel Families
- Detailed Guide: Arrested in Anne Arundel County - What to Do
- DUI Arrests: Anne Arundel DUI Arrest Guide
- Bail Info: How to Post Bail in Anne Arundel
- Statewide Guide: Someone Was Arrested in Maryland
- Bail Representation: Bail Hearings Representation