How Bail Works in Florida
Simple. Secure. Everywhere.
Getting arrested is stressful, but you don't have to guess what to do next. Shamrock Bail Bonds makes the Florida bail bond process simple, with 24/7 help in every county.
Spanish line (24/7): (727) 295-2245
What is bail?
Bail is a financial arrangement that lets an arrested person be released from jail while awaiting their court date. It is not a punishment; it is a guarantee that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court proceedings.
A judge sets the amount based on the severity of the charges, criminal history and ties to the community. It can range from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands.
How much does a bail bond cost?
• The cost is 10% of the face amount of the bail, with a minimum of $100 charged per statutory charge when a licensed bail bond agency posts the bond.
• Example: several charges with bonds of $500 and $750 cost $100 per charge, $200 in premium, even though the bond total is $1,250.
• Paying at the jail costs the full face amount in cash. On a $10,000 bond, your cost through Shamrock is $1,000, not $10,000.
What happens after an arrest?
1. Booking: fingerprints, photos and personal information are recorded. Release timing depends on the jail's processing.
2. Bail setting: each Florida county has a bail schedule for common offenses. In more serious cases, a judge sets the bond at First Appearance.
3. Payment: pay the full amount to the court (cash bail), or pay 10% to a bondsman who posts the full amount (bail bond).
4. Release: the jail processes the release; this varies by facility.
5. Court: the defendant must appear at every court date. Failure to appear results in bail forfeiture and an arrest warrant.
How does a bail bond work?
A bail bond is a contract between you, the bondsman and the court.
1. You contact a bail bondsman (like Shamrock).
2. You provide information about the defendant and the charges.
3. You pay the 10% premium and sign the bond agreement.
4. The bondsman posts the full bail amount with the court.
5. The defendant is released.
What are my responsibilities as a co-signer?
When you sign a bail bond, you become the indemnitor, or co-signer. You're responsible for making sure the defendant appears at all court dates. If they don't appear, you may be responsible for the full bail amount.
Is collateral required?
For larger bail amounts, collateral may be required: real estate, vehicles, jewelry or valuables, or bank accounts. Collateral is returned once the case is resolved and all obligations are met.
What types of bail are there in Florida?
• Cash bail: pay the full amount to the court; returned (minus court fees) when the case concludes, regardless of outcome, if the defendant appears. Downside: a large amount of cash up front.
• Release on own recognizance (ROR): released on a promise to appear, at no cost. Only granted for minor offenses with low flight risk.
• Surety bond (bail bond): a bondsman posts the full amount for a 10% premium, with professional guidance. The premium is non-refundable.
• Pretrial release: like ROR, but may add check-ins, drug testing or electronic monitoring. It may look low-cost at first, but transportation, testing and monitoring costs are at the defendant's expense.
How are bail amounts determined?
• Severity of the offense: violent crimes and felonies carry higher bail than misdemeanors.
• Flight risk: the defendant's history of appearing in court is factored in.
• Criminal history: prior arrests, convictions and missed court dates increase bail.
• Public safety: the safety of the public is assessed.