Boynton Beach domestic violence pretrial release works differently, and ultimately comes in a few forms. In Florida, if you are arrested for domestic violence charges, you must see a Judge before a pretrial release is arranged. This is called a First Appearance Hearing, and they are held every day of the year, including weekends and major Holidays. If you are arrested, you have a right to be put in front of a Judge within 24 hours of your arrest if you cannot bond out of Jail.
Once you speak to a Judge, a bail amount is set and paid. A person may be released on their ownrecognizance (ROR), or, a Judge could Order other conditions such as mandatory reporting to the Court, no contact with the alleged victim, be subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing, surrender any and all weapons or firearms and even place you on an electronic monitoring device, like an ankle monitor. A skilled criminal defense attorney would appear in Court with you and argue for the least restrictions possible, based on our knowledge, experience, and perspective of handling thousands of these types of cases in Boynton Beach.
If you need legal advice about your case or help achieving pretrial release, our seasoned domestic violence Lawyers at Leifert & Leifert can help.
What is Pretrial Release?
Pretrial release options exist to help defendants, their families, the justice system, and taxpayers. From the defendant’s perspective, a pretrial release allows them to return to their regular responsibilities, like work and parenting, while waiting for court dates and their cases to get resolved.
Pretrial release benefits families relying on a primary breadwinner to pay the bills. It also allows a Defendant the freedom to help build their defense, speak to attorneys, and collect evidence that might be valuable in their future trial.
Pretrial releases benefit the Courts and taxpayers, too. Jails are less crowded, and taxpayers spend less to feed, house, and provide medical care for individuals who are not incarcerated.
However, there are some risks associated with pretrial release in Boynton Beach, especially in domestic violence cases.
Potential Risks of Pretrial Release in Domestic Violence Cases
When it comes to domestic violence charges, the Court is concerned with the well-being of families, children, and the community as a whole. The Court is concerned that there may be a serious risk that a truly violent person may return home, abuse someone in their family, and cause lifelong damage to children or the community.
From the court’s perspective, another major risk associated with pretrial release in a domestic violence case is that a Defendant will flee the Boynton Beach area. In these instances, the case is left open, and bench warrants are issued. Usually, the person is eventually discovered and returned to jail. If someone removes their ankle monitor, leaves town, or skips bail, Judges may be reluctant to offer them a pretrial release in the future, or they may set a very high (unachievable) bail amount.
How Does Bail Work in Domestic Violence Cases?
If you are arrested for domestic violence in Boynton Beach, you cannot get out on bail until you speak with a Judge. The Judge will consider your criminal record and the severity of charges before deciding whether to allow a pretrial release and, if so, how much the bond will cost. The Judge may also issue no-contact orders to protect family members from further abuse as well as many other conditions of your release.
Do You Get Bail Money Back After Court?
If you pay the Court the full amount, you will get the bail money back after the case is completed, less any outstanding fines or Court costs.
However, most families do not have the tens of thousands of dollars to pay bail directly, so they work with a bail bondsman. These individuals collect a percentage (10% to 15%) of the bail and provide the rest of the bond to the court.
In other words, if bail is set at $50,000, it could cost a family $5,000 to $7,500 to bail out a loved one. Those fees paid to a bondsman are non-refundable.
Learn More About Boynton Beach Domestic Violence Pretrial Release. Talk to an Attorney Today
If you or a loved one needs help with a Boynton Beach domestic violence pretrial release or First Appearance, call the skilled Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert now. Our attorneys are ready to help you achieve pretrial release and build a solid defense. Schedule your consultation today.
