How Do I Get Out of Jail after an Arrest in Florida?

After an arrest, you will be placed in custody, initially in a holding cell at the police station, and later transferred to another facility. After your arrest, you must be arraigned, which is when formal charges are filed against you. At the arraignment, the issue of bail may also be addressed. For some crimes, there is a special hearing to set bail. It is not advised that you appear at your arraignment or a bail hearing, or any court appearance without a lawyer, as the bail amount set by the judge could be too high for you to afford.

Your lawyer can submit information about you, your character and why you could be released on your own recognizance – with no bail amount due. If bail is required, you want it to be as low as possible so you can afford it and return to your home and family. The only way to get out of jail in these cases is to post bail. There are bail bondsmen that are in the business of providing the amount of bail you need, and expect about 10% of the amount to be paid to them to provide this service.

Under the Constitution, bail cannot be excessive, or to punish you for the crime it is alleged you committed. Bail amounts vary, and a good lawyer can usually negotiate it down to a reasonable amount, and can also connect you with a bail bond service so you can get out as quickly as possible.

Contact Jonathan Blecher, P.A. in Miami for more information about getting out of jail after an arrest.

How Long Does It Take To Get Someone Out Of Jail In Florida?

The length of time it will take to be released from jail after an arrest will vary, based upon the type of criminal charge. Some crimes will require that bail is posted, which makes the process longer, particularly if a bail hearing is necessary. In other cases, a person may be released on his or her own recognizance, and the time spent in custody will be shorter.

Overview of the Criminal Process

The process starts with an arrest. You are then taken to the police station, booked and then placed in a holding cell. After the booking process is complete (which often takes hours), you be allowed to make a phone call. It is suggested that you get in touch with defense lawyer who can manage all the details, including finding you a bail bondsman so you can get out of jail and return home, if bail is required in your case. For more serious crimes, you could be transferred to a county jail.

It could take many hours to be released, even in the simplest cases. For example, if you are charged with DUI, and were arrested at night, you probably will not be released until the morning, and after appearing in court and being formally charged. The criminal justice system doesn't move quickly, and you have to be patient, as you may be in custody for a period of time before your release. You would be smart to get in touch with an attorney so you can get out of jail as quickly as is possible, based upon the facts in your case, and what bail amount the judge demands in your case. If too high to afford, your attorney can negotiate it lower in many cases.

Contact Jonathan Blecher, P.A. for more information about how to get out of jail in Florida.