FAQs

A material witness is a person whose testimony is material to a criminal proceeding, and where it appears from an affidavit filed by a party that this person’s presence for testimony cannot be secured by a subpoena. A judge can order the person arrested, but also order that s/he be released from custody if certain conditions are met. 18 USC section 3144...

Yes. The Federal Public Defender’s Office typically is appointed to represent indigent material witnesses...

The material witness will be brought to court for a bail hearing. The material witness typically will be released after posting an unsecured bond filed by a third party. Typically, the bond is set at $5,000.  There are unusual situations, however, when material witnesses are not released on bond, or are released under more strict conditions...

Typically, they are held in the Santa Ana Jail, located at 62 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana CA 92701. You can contact the Santa Ana Jail at (714) 245-8100...