Uniform Bail Bond Schedule in Hillsborough County, FL
After an arrest, people sometimes ask: “What is the bond amount and when can I bond out?”
Many of those questions can be answered by looking at Administrative Order S-2018-022, signed on June 27, 2018. The administrative order sets the uniform bail bond schedule that traditionally listed certain criminal offenses for which a person arrested is ineligible for release pending the first appearance hearing.
For the courts in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, the uniform bail bond schedule has traditionally listed certain criminal offenses for which a person arrested is ineligible for release pending the first appearance hearing.
If you were arrested for a criminal offense in Hillsborough County, FL, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you at a bail bond hearing held within 24 hours of the arrest.
Having a private attorney at the initial bond hearing can often save you a considerable amount of money because the bond might then be set lower than it would otherwise be set.
Attorney for the Bail Bond Hearings in Hillsborough County, FL
The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm are experienced in representing clients at bond hearings in Tampa and Hillsborough County, FL. With offices in downtown Tampa, FL, we represent clients throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.
When the court determining bail at first appearance, the judges should consider the criteria set out in section 903. 046, Florida Statutes, and Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.131.
Our criminal defense attorneys can explain to the judge all of the reasons why your bail bond amount should be lowered substantially from the standard amount listed in the uniform bail bond schedule.
To discuss your case, call (813) 250-0500.
Uniform Bail Bond Schedule for Charges in Tampa, FL
For most cases, any person arrested for a criminal offense may be released on a bail bond in an amount based on the designated classification and degree of the offense.
Persons arrested for the following classifications and degrees of criminal offenses may be released on a bail bond in the corresponding amount:
- First Degree Felony – $15,000
- Second Degree Felony – $ 7,500
- Third Degree Felony – $ 2,000
- First Degree Misdemeanor & non-felony DUI – $ 500
- Second Degree Misdemeanor – $ 250
- City or County Ordinance Violation – $ 250
These standard amounts do not apply to some types of offenses that are not eligible for release prior to first appearance.
Offense Ineligible for Release on Bond Prior to First Appearance
The following persons who are arrested will not be released on a bail bond pending the arrested person’s first appearance hearing. The judge presiding at the first appearance hearing will determine the appropriate amount of bail bond, if any:
- Anyone who at the time of arrest is known to be on pretrial release;
- Anyone who is determined to be on felony probation or felony community control;
- Anyone who is determined to be a sexual offender or a sexual predator unless the arrest is for a misdemeanor offense under chapter 316, Florida Statutes( § 903.046(2)(m), Fla. Stat.);
- Anyone who is arrested for any of the criminal offenses listed below:
- Capital Felony
- Life Felony
- First Degree Felony Punishable by Life
- Attempt/Solicitation/Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder
- Carjacking
- Sexual Battery
- Escape
- Attempt/Solicitation/Conspiracy to Commit Second Degree Murder
- DUI Manslaughter
- Retaliating Against a Witness (§ 914.23, Fla. Stat.)
- Trafficking Offenses
- Arson
- Aggravated Child Abuse
- Failure of Defendant on Bail to Appear (§ 843.15, Fla . Stat.)
Setting Bond for a VOP or FTA Warrant
Bail for persons arrested on a violation of probation (VOP) warrant or a (FTA) failure to appear warrant will be set in the amount provided for in the warrant itself. If the violation of probation warrant or failure to appear warrant is silent as to a bail bond amount, then there will be no bond, pending the arrested person’s next appearance before the judge assigned to handle the violation of probation or failure to appear matter.
Bail for arrest warrants will be set in the amount provided for in the warrant itself. If the arrest warrant is silent as to a bail bond amount, then the bail will be set in accordance with the provisions of this administrative order.
The administrative order addressed certain types of arrest warrants in Tampa, FL including:
- Bail for persons arrested on a violation of probation warrant or a failure to appear warrant will be set in the amount provided for in the warrant itself.
- If the violation of probation warrant or failure to appear warrant is silent as to a bail bond amount, then there will be no bond, pending the arrested person’s next appearance before the judge assigned to handle the violation of probation or failure to appear matter.
- Bail for arrest warrants will be set in the amount provided for in the warrant itself. If the arrest warrant is silent as to a bail bond amount, then the bail will be set in accordance with the provisions of this administrative order.
First Appearance Hearing Required for Certain Domestic Violence Charges
No bail bond is immediately available for certain charges involving an allegation of domestic violence even when the charge is only a misdemeanor. In other words, if you are arrested for any domestic violence charges in Tampa or Hillsborough County, FL, then you will not be able to bond out on the charges until after the first appearance.
Domestic violence charges that require a first appearance hearing include:
- Domestic Violence (§ 741.2901(3), Fla. Stat.)
- Violation of Domestic Violence Injunction (§ 741.30(9)(b), Fla. Stat.)
- Violation of Repeat Violence Injunction when the alleged violation involves repeat violence (§ 784.046(9)(b), Fla. Stat.)
- Violation of Pretrial Release when the original arrest was for domestic violence (§ 741.29(6), Fla. Stat.
- Violation of Injunction for Protection against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult(§ 825.1035(11), Fla. Stat. (2018))
At the first appearance hearing, the judge will often tell you that you may have “no contact” with the alleged victim after your release.
First Appearance Required for Certain Gang Related Criminal Accusations
Recent legislation in Florida requires any defendant charged with a violation of Chapter 874 (Gang Enforcement and Prevention), Florida Statutes, or alleged to be subject to enhanced punishment under Chapter 874, to be ineligible for release on bail or surety bond until first appearance. § 903.046(2)(l), Fla. Stat. (2008).
Recent Changes to Florida Law for Setting Bond in 2018
Section 825.1035(11)(b), Florida Statutes (2018), provides that any person who is arrested for a violation of an injunction for protection against the exploitation of a vulnerable adult must be held in custody until brought before the court.
Section 903.046, Florida Statutes, provides that any person arrested, who is a sexual offender or a sexual predator is not eligible for release on bail or a surety bond until the person’s first appearance hearing, unless the arrest is for a misdemeanor offense under chapter 316, Florida Statutes.
Section 947.141, Florida Statutes, requires that certain state-supervised offenders who are arrested on a felony charge must be held for up to 72 hours pending a decision by the Florida Commission on Offender Review to issue a warrant charging the offender with violation of the conditions of release.
For instance, if the offender was released on supervision under sections 947.1405, 947.146, 947.149, or 944.4731, Florida Statutes, and is arrested on a felony charge (§ 947.141(2), Fla. Stat.), then the first appearance judge must determine whether there is probable cause for the arrest.
If probable cause is found, then the offender must continue to be detained without bond for up to 72 hours, pending a decision by the Florida Commission on Offender Review. The commission might then issue a warrant charging the offender with a violation of the conditions of release.
Because of these recent changes in the law, the courts updated the uniform bail bond schedule to reference these statutory provisions.
Finding a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Bond Hearings in Tampa, FL
Contact us to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm about your case. We have focused our practice exclusively on criminal defense.
Our offices are located in downtown Tampa. We fight for our clients to help them rebuild their lives after a criminal accusation and obtain the absolute best possible result.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the charges pending against you, the potential penalties that can be imposed, and the best defenses to fight for an outright dismissal.
Call 813-250-0500.
This article was last updated on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
