Universal bond schedule legislation passes House
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida House passed legislation Thursday that would establish universal bond schedules across Florida for low level offenses.
It would mandate that courts assess whether specific individuals should be held in custody before their trial.
The bill establishes a procedure for creating a minimum bond schedule statewide for misdemeanors and third-degree felonies that do not fall under the category of dangerous crimes.
Additionally, the proposed legislation prevents judges from granting pretrial release to individuals who meet specific criteria upon arrest.
The bill establishes a procedure for creating a minimum bond schedule statewide for misdemeanors and third-degree felonies that do not fall under the category of dangerous crimes.
However, in cases where non-monetary conditions for pretrial release are being considered, judges are required to adhere to the current statutory guidelines for determining bail.
Under this bill, if a defendant violates a significant term or condition of their pretrial release, the court may revoke their release and order pretrial detention.
Additionally, certain crimes, such as DUI manslaughter, fentanyl trafficking, extortion and written threats to harm or kill, would be added to the list of dangerous crimes.
Defendants arrested for these crimes cannot be granted non-monetary pretrial release if a probable cause finding is made.
A pretrial detention hearing is mandatory for those arrested for capital, life, or first-degree felony dangerous crimes.
Bill sponsor, Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Fleming Island, described how the legislation would ensure detention hearings are held for serious criminal offenses.
“No matter who you are or where you come from, if you are arrested for a serious criminal offense, and it meets the criteria laid out in statute, you will have a detention hearing – period,” Garrison said.
House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, expressed his support for the bill.
“We are putting the hammer down on these criminals who terrorize our communities and give tools to judges to make sure violent criminals stay behind bars before trial,” Renner said.
