Formerly Frank Calabretta's Bail House, we are the oldest bail bond agency in Auburn, CA. No call centers, no out-of-town operators.
Our Auburn office has been directly across the street from the Placer County Jail since Frank Calabretta opened his doors in 1973 — first at the old jail location, then across the street from the new facility when it opened in the 1980s. When you call, you speak with a local agent who knows the Auburn booking process, the Placer County bail schedule, and how to get your loved one released as fast as possible.
24/7 Service
Our experienced, friendly bail agents are here to take your calls 24 hours a day. Why wait? Get an immediate release.
3 Locations
We service 3 different counties, so we are always conveniently close to the jail your loved one will be released from.
Pay From Home
You don’t even have to leave your home! Complete the bail bond process over the phone. We take all major credit cards.
Auburn Jail & Court Information
Jails Serving Auburn and Placer County
Auburn Jail 2775 Richardson Dr, Auburn, CA 95603 Phone: (530) 745-8500 | Open 24 hours
Our office is directly across the street. Most arrests in the Auburn area are booked here first. We submit paperwork on-site, which means faster processing and faster release.
Depending on the charge and facility availability, some individuals are transferred or booked directly at South Placer. We post bail at both locations.
Courts
Historic Auburn Courthouse 101 Maple Street, Auburn, CA 95603 Phone: (916) 408-6000 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Placer County Superior Court (Roseville) 10820 Justice Center Dr, Roseville, CA 95678 Phone: (916) 543-7400 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Cases originating in Auburn may be handled at either location depending on the charge. You do not need to wait for a court date to post bail — in most cases, bail is set immediately at booking via the Placer County bail schedule.
No matter when you call, day or night, our team will be there to help. We know your situation is urgent and sensitive, so we make sure you always hear a calm and supportive voice, ready to guide you through the bail process with care and professionalism.
Pictured: Owner Melissa with Bail Agent Scotland
Why Auburn Trusts Bail House
Frank Calabretta built this agency on one principle: when someone calls, they're in crisis. Treat them accordingly.
In 2022, Frank passed the business to Melissa Zimmerman — his right-hand, who had been working alongside him since the 1980s. Locals know her as "The Bail Lady." That's not a marketing nickname; it's what people in Auburn actually call her.
Melissa grew up here. She knows the community, she knows the families, and she knows that the phone call you make to a bail bondsman is one of the worst calls you'll ever have to make. Her goal is to make it the easiest part of your night.
Beyond the business, Bail House has always been part of Auburn. Frank's Christmas light displays — visible from the jail across the street — became a tradition. The annual biscotti, Thanksgiving dinners, community gatherings. These aren't marketing events. They're what happens when a business is genuinely embedded in a town for over 50 years.
Call us day or night, weekend or holiday. We are standing by ready to help - you just need to take the first step.
Our Auburn Office
11410 Atwood Rd, Auburn, CA 95603 (530) 823-8340 | Open 24/7 Directly across from the Auburn Jail.
Note: This is not legal advice. Each case is unique.
Arrest Happens
Booking & Processing
After an arrest, the defendant is taken to a local jail or police station for booking. This involves recording their personal information, fingerprints, and a photograph, as well as documenting the details of the alleged crime. The booking process can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the circumstances and the facility’s workload.
Bail is Set
Once booking is complete, the defendant’s bail amount is determined. In California, bail is typically set based on a county-specific bail schedule, which assigns predetermined amounts to various offenses. Alternatively, if the case requires it, a judge may set bail during a hearing, taking into account factors like the defendant’s criminal history, flight risk, and the severity of the charges.
Bail is Set
Cash Bail vs Bail Bond Decision
Most people cannot afford to pay the full bail amount out of pocket, which is where a bail bondsman comes in. The defendant or their family contacts a licensed bail bond agent, who acts as a surety to guarantee the court that the defendant will appear for all required hearings. This service allows the defendant to be released by paying only a fraction of the total bail.
Call Bail House
Sign Paperwork
To proceed, the bail bondsman requires the defendant or their representative—known as the indemnitor—to complete a bail application and sign a contract. This paperwork outlines the terms of the agreement, including the responsibilities of all parties involved. The indemnitor, often a friend or family member, agrees to take financial responsibility if the defendant fails to meet court obligations.
Sign Paperwork
Pay for the Bond
In California, the cost of a bail bond is regulated by law at 10% of the total bail amount. For example, if bail is $20,000, the fee paid to the bondsman would be $2,000. This fee is non-refundable as it compensates the bail bond company for their services and the risk they assume. Bail House Bail Bonds accepts cash, verified checks, and all major credit cards.
Bondsman Submits Paperwork
Once the paperwork is finalized and the bail bond fee is paid, the bondsman submits the bond to the court or jail. The jail then processes the release, which can take anywhere between 20 minutes and a few hours, depending on the facility. After this, the defendant is free to leave custody, provided they comply with any conditions set by the court, such as attending all scheduled court dates.
Bondsman Submits Paperwork
Defendant is Released
Indemnitor Responsibilities
The indemnitor plays a critical role in the process. They are legally and financially accountable for ensuring the defendant adheres to the terms of the bail agreement. If the defendant skips bail—fails to appear in court—the indemnitor may be required to pay the full bail amount or forfeit any collateral pledged.
Defendant Goes Through the Court Process
The bail bond process concludes when the case is resolved, whether through a trial verdict, plea deal, or dismissal of charges. Once the defendant has fulfilled all court obligations, the bail bond is "exonerated," meaning the bondsman’s obligation to the court ends. At this point, the bond is discharged, though the fee paid to the bondsman remains non-refundable. Any collateral provided is returned to the indemnitor, assuming no breaches occurred.
Defendant Goes Through the Court Process
Bond is Exonerated
"As a parent, there is one phone call you never want to receive. I immediately called my lawyer and he suggested Melissa Z at the Bail house. I must say, that was the best and most calming phone call. Thank you so much Melissa for your kind words and quick response to my panic attack. With your services, my son was home within a few hours. You even called back to check on him which was simply amazing. I was completely out of my depth so I am very thankful for your services. Quick, reasonable, and effective. If you ever find yourself in this type of situation - this company should be your first phone call."
-Renee, Google Review
"What truly stood out was how smoothly everything went. Melissa took care of the details with such efficiency that I felt reassured and confident throughout the process. It’s clear that she genuinely cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service.
If you find yourself in need of bail services in Auburn, I highly recommend Bail House, and, specifically, working with Melissa. She is simply the best! Thank you, Melissa, for your outstanding support!"
-Cesar, Google Review
Speak with a Bail Agent
Because we have offices in Auburn, Roseville, Nevada City, and Truckee, we can provide rapid, locally-sensitive service no matter where your loved one is being held.
We are also available via telephone 24/7. You don't even need to leave your house to process a bail bond. This is especially convenient if you are cosigning a bail for someone in Placer County, Nevada County, or Sierra County but you live elsewhere.
We Make the Bail Process Easy
If you are choosing to secure a bail bond rather than outright pay for the total bail amount, you need someone you can trust! We will walk you through every step of the bail process.
An indemnitor (also known as a cosigner or guarantor) is the person responsible for ensuring the defendant appears in court as required when posting bail.
We’re here to explain the bail bonds process to you in full and to guide you through the process.
But we know there are a lot of terms in the bail process that may be new to you. So, we created these handy Bail Terms Glossary Cards.
Click on the picture to download the file to your device instantly. You can easily view the file on your smartphone as a quick reference. Or, print the file for your convenience.
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