2025 Uniform Bond Scheduled in Pinellas County, FL
Every person charged with a crime is entitled to pretrial release with reasonable conditions as provided by Article I, s. 14, of the Florida Constitution, unless the person is charged with a capital offense or an offense punishable by life imprisonment and the “proof of guilt is evident or the presumption is great.”
For a person awaiting trial, Florida law provides for three types of pre-trial release:
- complying with pretrial release conditions;
- posting a bail or surety bond; or
- signing for a release on their own recognizance.
See art. I, s. 14. Fla. Const.; See also ss. 903.046 and 907.041. F.S.
Administrative Order No. 2024-069 PI-CIR, which took effect on January 1, 2025, describes the uniform bond schedule in Pinellas County, FL. Pinellas County follows the uniform statewide bond schedule. For certain offenses, the arrested person might be released on bond before the first appearance hearing.
The uniform bond schedule is not binding on judges conducting first appearance or bail bond hearings. Instead, judges use it to guide the appropriate bond amount and pretrial release conditions. Read more about the first appearance advisory in Pinellas County, FL.
Attorneys for Bond Hearings in Pinellas County, FL
After an arrest in Pinellas County, FL, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Sammis Law Firm. Visit our offices in Clearwater, FL, near the Criminal Justice Center (CJC). courthouse on 49th Street. When the court determines the bond conditions, we can attend the first appearance hearing to represent a client.
The pre-trial release conditions the court imposes might influence how the case is resolved. Having a criminal defense attorney at the earliest stages can make a big difference.
Call 727-210-7004.
Offenses Not Eligible for Released Before the First Appearance
For the following offenses, the person is not permitted to bond out before the first appearance hearing:
- any capital felony, life felony, felony of the first degree, or felony of the second degree;
- any homicide under chapter 782;
- any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a homicide;
- any third degree felony that involves any amount of force or threat of force against a person;
- any offense committed for the purpose of benefiting, promoting, or furthering the interests of a criminal gang;
- failure to appear at required court proceedings while on bail;
- assault in furtherance of a riot or an aggravated riot;
- felony battery;
- domestic battery by strangulation;
- domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28;
- stalking; mob intimidation;
- assault or battery on a law enforcement officer;
- assault or battery on juvenile probation officer, or other staff of a detention center or commitment facility, or a staff member of a commitment facility, or health services personnel;
- assault or battery on a person 65 years of age or older;
- robbery;
- burglary;
- carjacking; or
- resisting an officer with violence;
- kidnapping
- false imprisonment
- human trafficking
- human smuggling;
- possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon, violent career criminal, or person subject to an injunction against committing acts of domestic violence, stalking, or cyberstalking;
- Sexual battery;
- indecent, lewd, or lascivious touching;
- exposure of sexual organs;
- incest;
- luring or enticing a child; or
- child pornography;
- abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult;
- child abuse or aggravated child abuse;
- arson;
- rioting, aggravated riot, inciting a riot, or aggravated inciting a riot; or a burglary or theft during a riot;
- escape;
- tampering or retaliating against a witness, victim, or informant;
- destruction of evidence; or
- tampering with a jury;
- trafficking in a controlled substance, including conspiracy to engage in trafficking in a controlled substance; and
- racketeering.
Other Third Degree Felony Offenses
If the third degree felony is not on the list of offenses with no bond before first appearance, the standard bond amount is $5,000. Some third degree felony offenses have no bond before first appearance, including:
- any felony driving offense such fleeing to elude or any felony version of DUI or BUI;
- and misdemeanor driving under the influence or boating under the influence offenses under s. 316.193 or s. 327.35, Fla. Stat., whether charged as a felony or misdemeanor with some exceptions;
- any felony failure to register charge.
Standard Bond Amounts for Misdemeanors
Unless otherwise designated, a $1,000 standard bond amount applies to most first-degree misdemeanors involving violence or a threat of violence, and a $500 standard bond amount applies to most first-degree misdemeanors not involving violence or a threat of violence.
The standard bond is $500 for most misdemeanor DUI offenses not involving any of the following aggravating factors that cause the standard bond amount to increase to $1,000:
- property damage or non-serious personal injury;
- a prior conviction for DUI or BUI
- a prior DUI or BUI case dismissed as part of a diversionary program.
The standard bond amount is $500 for most second degree misdemeanors involving violence or a threat of violence or $250 with no allegation of violence of a threat of violence.
This article was last updated on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
