If your friend or family member has been arrested in Brevard County they will go in front of a judge within 24 hours of arrest. This is known as a first appearance. The purpose of first appearance is determine if probable cause for arrest exists and to set conditions of release. This is also commonly referred to as setting a bond. On serious criminal cases the bond amount can be a significant amount of money. A Kissimmee bond hearing attorney can go to the first appearance and fight for your friend or family member to reduce the bond amount. Everyone is entitled to an attorney at first appearance but the nature of first appearance makes it difficult for an appointed attorney to advocate for your loved one. The prosecutors and public defenders are usually handed a pile of paperwork prior to a few hours before first appearance. Hiring a Osceola County bond hearing attorney helps because the private attorney can take the time to learn about the accused and use that information at the hearing to advocate for more favorable conditions of release. Factors to be considered include but are not limited to:
- Family history:
- Ties to the community
- Prior convictions (or lack of prior history);
- Prior failures to appear in court (or lack of);
- Risk of fleeing to avoid prosecution;
- Financial resources;
- Character;
- Mental condition;
- Any other facts that may assist the court in setting or reducing the bond.
To find out more about the bonding someone out of jail go to bail bonds information. The accused has two options to get out of jail if they are given a bond. The first is to post a cash bond that requires someone to pay the entire bond. The second is to use a Florida bail bondsman. A bail bondsman requires someone to pay the greater of $100 per charge or 10%. The bondsman will tie up less money on the front end of the case and will search for the defendant if they skip bond or fail to appear. The premium amount that is paid to the bondsman is non-refundable. This can be a good idea when preparing to hire a criminal defense attorney to fight the charges against your friend or family member.