Procedure

"Illustration" courtesy of:  https://www.craiyon.com "jail bars"

It's tricky "business" to get arrested in St. Louis.  An individual doesn't know where they'll end up unless they do.

The following events concern 2 individuals after a "disturbance" reported to University City police resulted in the "arrest" of one individual due to a "warrant":

• University City Police were called to an apartment due to a "disturbance".
• A warrant was found to exist for one individual (a "guest").
• The "guest" was taken by University City Police officers "somewhere".
• The other individual (a "resident") didn't hear back from the "guest" so attempted to locate them a day or two later.
• An online "inmate search" showed the "guest" was with the Brentwood Police Department.
• A phone call to the Brentwood Police Department was made and the "resident" was informed the "guest" was being held at the Richmond Heights Police Department.
• A phone call to the Richmond Heights Police Department confirmed the "guest" was being held and a "fee" or "fine" for their release was $200.00.
• The "resident" did not have $200.00 for the "fee" or fine" but wanted to make sure the "guest" was alright or ok so went to the Richmond Heights Police Department in person.
• After arriving and inquiring about visiting the guest or leaving a message, an officer at the "front desk" informed the "resident" that the "guest" had "just been released" visitation was not allowed.
• The "resident" was not told the "guest" had been released 30 minutes prior.

One or more details may or may not seem backward.  We aren't experts in "police procedure" or "transfers" so we don't know the "rules".

We have 2 or 3 questions:

• Why isn't it simple or straightforward to locate an individual held by police?
• How can paying a "fee" or "fine" allow the release of an individual before seeing a judge?
• Why didn't the officer "offering" the release in exchange for payment explain it was a "limited time offer"?

Backward or "favored or spoiled, rotten or not".