2026 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.
In Pinellas County, FL, the uniform bond schedule was last amended on February 3, 2026, in Administrative Order No. 2026-005 PI-CIR. The order sets a uniform bond schedule in Pinellas County, FL, that is reissued on an annual basis. For certain offenses, the arrested person might be released on bond before the first appearance hearing.
The uniform bond schedule is for law enforcement. The schedule does not bind any judge conducting first appearance or bail bond hearings. The judges may use it as a guide when setting an appropriate bond based upon the evidence presented. In other words, if a person does not immediately bond out (or is not permitted to immediately bond out), the court can set the bond amount higher or lower than what is listed on the schedule.
The order is issued in accordance with Article V, section 2, Florida Constitution, Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.215, section 43.26, Florida Statutes, and the authority granted in section 903.011(5)(d), Florida Statutes, to the chief judge to locally increase the monetary bond.
As explained in the order, in 2023, the uniform bond schedule was amended in Pinellas County in response to the enactment of sections 903.011(5)(a) and 903.011(6), Florida Statutes, which required the Florida Supreme Court to adopt a uniform statewide bond schedule so that persons arrested for certain criminal offenses may be released on bond prior to the person’s first appearance hearing.
The statutory amendments were effective January 1, 2024. Subsequently, to the extent such is procedural, the Florida Supreme Court issued a Statewide Uniform Bond Schedule effective January 1, 2024, and on an annual basis thereafter.
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;
- stalking or cyberstalking;
- felony battery;
- domestic battery by strangulation;
- domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28;
- 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;
- 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;
- tampering with a jury;
- trafficking in a controlled substance, including conspiracy to engage in trafficking in a controlled substance; and
- racketeering (RICO).
Additionally, a person may not be released on bond before their first appearance hearing or bail determination where a judge determines the appropriate bail when any of the following applies:
- The person was, at the time of arrest for any felony, on pretrial release, probation, or community control in this state or any other state;
- The person was, at the time of arrest, designated as a sexual offender or sexual predator in this state or any other state;
- The person was arrested for violating a protective injunction;
- The person was, at the time of arrest, on release from supervision under s. 947.1405, s. 947.146, s. 947.149, or s. 944.4731;
- The person has, at any time before the current arrest, been sentenced pursuant to s. 775.082(9) or s. 775.084 as a prison release reoffender, habitual violent felony offender, three-time violent felony offender, or violent career criminal;
- the person has been arrested three or more times in the 6 months immediately preceding his or her arrest for the current offense.
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; or
- any person arrested for a third-degree felony that involves any amount of force or threat of force against a person.
Standard Bond Amounts for Misdemeanors in Pinellas County, FL
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; or
- a prior DUI or BUI case dismissed as part of a diversionary program.
In Pinellas County, FL, the standard bond is $500 for most people arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) or boating under the influence (BUI) offenses under s. 316.193 or s. 327.35, Fla. Stat., whether charged as a felony or misdemeanor, as long as they have not:
- Caused damage to the property or person of another;
- Previously been convicted of DUI or BUI; or
- Had a DUI or BUI dismissed as part of a diversionary program.
If any of those aggravated factors apply to the DUI or BUI, the person arrested for DUI or BUI will have no bond prior to first appearance.
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 Monday, May 11, 2026.
