When you are arrested and booked today in the United States, you are entitled to a phone call. What was this process like prior to the widespread use of telephones?

by pintxa_

Was watching a TV show wherein someone got arrested in early 19th century USA. They showed the authorities apprehending the man, and then cut to him sitting in a jail cell. Got me wondering what would happen in between. How would he contact someone, like a lawyer or a family member? Also, what would the timeline be like between arrest and trial?

BlackHumor

Technically speaking, this is not true. You are entitled to a lawyer, not a phone call. The jail doesn't have to give you access to a phone per se, only some way to contact a lawyer. They do have to let your lawyer talk with you essentially as much as the two of you want, so even in that case it's not "one phone call".