I've been arrested..Now what?
Once you have been arrested, local law enforcement officers will escort you to a local detention facility where you will be booked and processed. Regular booking practices include fingerprinting, taking a photograph and providing basic information such as your address and birth date. After you have been booked, bail will be set, and the prosecutor in the jurisdiction you have been arrested in is constitutionally required to decide what charges you will face in a speedy manner. Typically, the prosecution must make a decision within 72 hours to comply with this standard.
In Florida, defendants have the right to appear before a judge within 24 hours of their arrest. This hearing is called a First Appearance where the judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify probable cause against the accused as well as confirm or adjust the defendant’s bail amount.
If law enforcement places you in jail, you may be eligible to be released on bail. Bail is nothing more than a payment made to the court that acts as a guarantee that you will return to stand trial for the crime you are accused of committing. Failure to appear in court at the scheduled date and time will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, and you will be returned to jail.
How is my Bail Amount Determined?
Several factors are used by a judge to decide how much a defendant should pay to be released from the custody of law enforcement. Many jurisdictions are subject to bail schedules that have already been established that serve as guidelines when determining bail amounts. However, judges are given discretion to alter the recommended bail amount based on a few other factors. Whether or not the defendant is a flight risk, the severity of the crime, prior criminal history and the chances that the accused will appear to stand trial are all considered by a judge when establishing your bail amount.
It is important to remember that the more severe the crime, the higher the bail will be set. Sometimes bail will be too expensive for the accused to afford without the assistance of a licensed bondsman.
How do i post Bail?
Duval Bail Bonds can help you post bail in Duval and Surrounding Counties for any offense and any bond amount. Our experience makes us familiar with all types of bail and makes us perfect to bail you out of any jail in Florida anytime. Don’t let yourself get stuck in a jail cell for longer than is required by law. Make bail by contacting the professional bondsmen at Duval Bail Bonds and get back to your life quickly and with as little frustration as possible.