Oildale sits just across the Kern River from downtown Bakersfield — close enough that many people don’t realize it’s a separate, unincorporated community. That detail matters when someone is arrested. Because Oildale has no city of its own, there’s no Oildale Police Department: law enforcement is provided by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and anyone arrested is booked into the county jail system a few minutes away in Bakersfield.

Cowboy Bail Bonds has worked with Oildale families for decades from our office on Blanche Street, a short drive from both the jail and the courthouse. This guide explains what happens after an Oildale arrest, what bail costs, where the case is heard, and how we get your loved one home.

Quick facts for Oildale arrests

Law enforcement

Kern County Sheriff’s Office (Oildale is unincorporated — no city PD)

Where they’re booked

Central Receiving Facility, then Lerdo Pre-Trial, Bakersfield

Bail cost

10% of the full bail amount (California state rate)

Courthouse

Metropolitan Division, downtown Bakersfield

Distance to jail

~10 minutes from Oildale to Central Receiving

We’re available

24 hours a day, every day — Se Habla Español

Who handles arrests in Oildale?

Because Oildale is unincorporated, the Kern County Sheriff patrols it — the same agency that runs the county jail. After an arrest, your loved one is taken to the Central Receiving Facility at 1415 Truxtun Avenue for booking, then typically housed at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility north of town while the case is pending. Oildale’s location actually works in your favor: both the jail and the courthouse are only minutes away.

Confirm where they are first

Before you head downtown, confirm where they’re being held:

1. kerninmatesearch.org — the most up-to-date public Kern County inmate database.
2. kernsheriff.org → “Inmate Search” — the official Sheriff’s database.

How bail works for an Oildale arrest

1. Call 661-324-6009. A licensed agent answers any time, day or night.
2. We confirm the bail. We pull the booking record so you know the exact charges and bail amount before you commit.
3. You sign the paperwork. By phone, online, or in person at our office — just minutes from Oildale.
4. We post the bond at the jail. You don’t have to be there in person unless you’d like to be.
5. Your loved one comes home. Release typically takes 2 to 6 hours after the bond is posted.

In California the bail premium is 10% of the full bail amount, set by state law. On a $10,000 bail that’s $1,000. We offer payment plans and easy-to-qualify terms. Want a quick estimate? Try our free bail bond calculator.

Which courthouse will handle the case?

Oildale cases are heard at the Kern County Superior Court Metropolitan Division in downtown Bakersfield — the county’s main criminal courthouse, just a few minutes south of Oildale. The first appearance, the arraignment, is usually held there within a couple of court days of the arrest.

The most reliable source is always the release or court paperwork your loved one receives, which lists the courthouse, department, date, and time. For addresses and contacts across the county, see our Kern County courthouse locations page, and if you’re unsure which court to expect, just call us.

Drive times from Oildale

Frequently asked questions

Does Oildale have its own police or jail?

No. Oildale is unincorporated, so the Kern County Sheriff provides law enforcement, and arrestees are booked into the county jail system in Bakersfield. There is no separate Oildale jail.

How much does a bail bond cost in Oildale?

The premium is 10% of the full bail amount, set by California law and the same at every licensed bondsman. We offer flexible payment plans and easy-to-qualify terms.

How fast can my loved one get out?

Once paperwork is signed we post the bond right away. Release from the county jail typically takes 2 to 6 hours, though it can run longer on busy nights and weekends.

Can I post bail in the middle of the night?

Yes. We’re available 24 hours a day, every day, including holidays. Bail at the county jail can be posted around the clock.

What if there’s a hold?

An immigration detainer, an out-of-county warrant, or a probation or parole hold can keep someone in custody even after bail is posted. We’ll check for holds before you pay anything.