What is typically the first step in the booking process?

The first step in the booking process is intake screening. This phase is crucial as it involves gathering vital information about the individual being booked. During intake screening, officers collect personal details such as identification, criminal history, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. This information not only helps to identify the individual but also assesses any immediate needs, such as health concerns or safety issues, that may need to be addressed. Additionally, the information gathered during intake screening lays the groundwork for the subsequent steps in the booking process, including classification and assigning an appropriate facility or housing arrangement.

Inmate questioning and classification occur later in the process. Inmate questioning typically involves gathering more detailed information about the circumstances of the arrest and the individual's background, which is based on the initial data gathered during intake screening. Classification is a process that follows the screening, where inmates are assessed for their security level and any specific needs they may have. A court appearance is not part of the booking process itself; it comes afterward when the individual is presented before a judge.