The uniform bond schedule The new law mandates the Florida Supreme Court to establish a uniform schedule for specific offenses not included in the “dangerous crime” category. This schedule became effective on January 1, 2024, outlining set bond amounts for various felonies and misdemeanors.
Bail bond fees are set by the state When bond is set for someone who was arrested in Florida, the amount is not made up. The bond is set based on pre-determined criteria depending on the crime. The criteria can include previous convictions, the likelihood of appearance, and the severity of the crime.
Criminal Rehabilitation; Specifying that to rehabilitate the offender to transition back to the community successfully is one of the primary purposes of sentencing; reducing the minimum sentence that must be served by a defendant from 85 percent of the sentence to 65 percent; revising provisions concerning gain-time to ...
(5)(a) Beginning January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the Supreme Court must adopt a uniform statewide bond schedule for criminal offenses not described in subsection (6) for which a person may be released on bail before and in lieu of his or her first appearance hearing or bail determination.
Background Check and Disqualifications A clean background is crucial. You cannot have any felony convictions. If you have a felony on your record, you are automatically disqualified from becoming a bail bonds agent.
In Florida, bail is determined by the judge based on factors like the severity of the charges, your criminal history, and whether you are considered a flight risk. The judge may also consider community ties and the potential danger to the public.
Florida's new statewide bond schedule, introduced under House Bill 1627, is a significant reform aimed at standardizing bail practices across judicial circuits. Effective January 1, 2024, the law seeks to establish consistency and equity in pretrial release decisions.
Florida law gives judges considerable discretion when setting bail amounts, and they often consider several factors, including: Nature of the Charges: Violent or serious charges often result in higher bail amounts or, in some cases, no bail at all.