Posted by Smithnotary on 8/16/10 6:38pm
Msg #349224
Jail/Prison
I've been hearing from a lot of Mobile Notaries in Cali that the flat out REFUSE to go into the Jail or Prison. Why is that? I have recently been called to go out to a Prison and I don't really see a drawback. Any pros & cons on this?
| Reply by James Dawson on 8/16/10 6:50pm
Msg #349227
It's all about where.....each facility has it's own rules outside of the "published rules". Time invested seems to be the main issue. I'm in Northern Calif so what works here does not necessarily work in So Cal.. Where are you??
| Reply by Smithnotary on 8/18/10 1:50pm
Msg #349481
I kind of sit in the middle of Orange County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County. 10 minutes anyway and I can go to any of the three. I've just been getting a lot of calls from Law Offices and Document Services. I even got a call to go to Calapatria(near Salton Sea) but I decided against it because its a 3 hour drive.
Thanks for the info everyone.
| Reply by LKT/CA on 8/16/10 6:52pm
Msg #349228
Jail notarizations can be more trouble than they're worth.
1. Can't take a phone in, so WILL miss other calls (opportunities). Lots of waiting around - between 1 and 2 hours without the cell phone.
2. Inmate may not have ID (may not have Dept. of Corrections ID).
3. Paperwork incorrect - either jail attendant won't allow it in OR inmate refuses to sign which means a wasted trip.
4. Must collect payment before appointment, IN CASH to ensure payment
5. If facility is on lockdown (attendants tell you when lockdown will end) you have to leave and reschedule for another day.
They are PITA - especially because of #s 1 and 3. Some Notaries are willing to handle jail notarizations. I no longer do and refer them to those I know who will.
| Reply by Glenn Strickler on 8/16/10 6:54pm
Msg #349229
Do a orange button search for "Jail,prison". A lot has been written.
I quit doing them at the local federal and state prisons because of the time involved, typically a 3 or 4 hour wait time while everyone is getting cleared. Then if you get caught in a lock down, it could be considerably more time.
Quote a good fee for your time.
| Reply by Philip Johnson on 8/16/10 6:55pm
Msg #349230
Here in WA.
You get everything but a cavity (not dental) search and the place just gives me the creeps.
So if you don't mind working as in my case with mid to upper level offenders who are serving fairly long sentences and spending 2.5 to 3.5 hours in and around the joint, you'll be fine.
| Reply by James Dawson on 8/16/10 7:06pm
Msg #349231
LKT and Glenn pretty much sums it up, and Marian's view? n/m
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/16/10 7:27pm
Msg #349235
Re: LKT and Glenn pretty much sums it up, and Marian's view?
It totally depends on the facility! Honestly, the only one I go to is a local Federal Detention Center that is run by the County Sherrif. It's about as laid back as you can get when it comes to jails. Don't get me wrong-- it's still jail, but if you know what you're doing, visits there are quick and easy. And by "quick" I mean about 40 min to an hour.
There is a State prison right next door... and I won't go there because it's a freaking hassle. Not only that, but they DO have a Notary on staff. I tell people who call me for that jail to have the inmate talk to the Litigation Office about notary service. It's just a lot easier that way. In order to be approved as a Notary, you have to go through the Litigation Office anyway... and they always say, "Well, why don't they just talk to us? We have a Notary here." -- So that's what I tell them.
There's a private prison about an hour north of me, and it's similar -- they have a Notary on staff, and they have signs all over the place telling them that, too.
Aside from that, my biggest draw are calls to the local County Courthouse -- guys who have been bussed in from county jails all over the place. This is a big advantage to some of them. Men's Central, which is the notorious one in downtown LA? I would never want to go there... and I refer those calls to another Notary, who I know is familiar with the procedures there. Well, the warden there only allows Notaries to come in for certain types of documents. It's a hassle.
So, what happens a lot is if they have upcoming court dates, I work with the Attorney or Public Defender to meet with them at the court house. Often, that's at the discretion of the judge handling the case or the Sheriff, but it usually works out.
I know a lot of notaries in my area won't even go to the detention center or courthouse... fine by me.
One thing that I do, though... is I never just say "no". I always try to give somebody another option or a referral, somebody else to call. Or, I give them factual information or directives from the facility itself (like talking to the Litigation Office).
If you read Msg #326938 from back in March, you'll note that it's almost exactly the same thing I wrote above. 
| Reply by James Dawson on 8/16/10 7:37pm
Msg #349240
I know you'd come through...I will go to any jail, anywhere.
Notary Public,...that's just me. Got a call late last night, husband being deported, they wanted to get passports for the kids but needed permission from the FATHER that's being deported...how Ironic.
Should I say, "sorry can't help you?" or do I risk being accused of UPL?
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 8/16/10 7:45pm
Msg #349241
Re: I know you'd come through...I will go to any jail, anywhere.
That's another really common document I see at the IDC -- the Parental Permission Form for obtaining a passport for a child under 16. (Form DS-3053)
BTW, as a side note... it's a really poorly designed form with NO room for a seal (thanks, Feds). CA Notaries need to put the jurat wording on the "special circumstances" box on page 2 instead of attaching a loose form -- the passport agency is notorious for rejecting the form if there are any extra pages attached. I learned that from experience and after calling the Passport people directly, that's what they told me to do... along with a short explanation.
SO on all of those forms, I write the following before the jurat stamp:
"California Government Code 8202(b) states, "To any affidavit subscribed and sworn to before a notary, there shall be attached a jurat in the following form..."
And on page one, under the "NOTARY SEAL" wording, I write, "(See Special Circumstances
on Page 2 for California Compliant Jurat.)"
None of the ones where I've done that have been rejected as far as I know. I always tell them that if it is, to call me. The ones that have been rejected all had the loos form attached -- so I don't do that anymore.
| Reply by James Dawson on 8/16/10 8:26pm
Msg #349244
Re: I know you'd come through...I will go to any jail, anywhere.
If they call me back I will use the info you provided but may also contact you for (unpaid) assistance. LOL
In return, I may give you a tiny gold nugget I found in the desert, the ghost town named rhyolite where the houses were all built out of bottles because they didn't have any wood.
| Reply by garland/CA on 8/16/10 7:13pm
Msg #349233
I've been to the county jail a few times and a maximum security prison once. My own experiences were positive, so I haven't ruled these notarizations out yet, however I do see that some of the difficulties already mentioned are very possible. The jail visits I had were very short (under 30 minutes). Maximum security visit was about one hour and would have been much less except for an issue with the ID that had to get cleared up. I wasn't even searched much (maybe I look very harmless?!). Definitely make your fee appropriate for the time it could take, and other issues that could arise. Both were interesting experiences I'm glad I tried.
| Reply by Jack/AL on 8/16/10 8:44pm
Msg #349247
Seems there are few pros and lots of "cons." Heh, heh...... n/m
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