08/10/2026
PSA of the Day!
Not everyone who gets Arrested in the State of Florida has to post a monetary bond, but there's also no "Get Out Of Jail Free Card" (i.e. there are other, unavoidable collateral costs). Unless you're charged with a non-bondable offense then per Florida Statutes, the Florida State Constitution and the Rules of Criminal Procedure here in The Sunshine State in most instances every arrestee is entitled to some form of "Pretrial Release".
PTR takes many forms, the most obvious of which is Posting Bond / Posting Bail but plenty of folks are either released to "Pretrial Services" or are placed on "House Arrest". Whatever shape it takes PTR is all but guaranteed to come with conditions concurrently designed to ensure one's presence in Court and to protect the community while the case is open. So, even if a Cash Bond isn't ordered while one is released from Pretrial Detention one is not truly "free".
Pursuant to Article I, Section 14 of the Florida Constitution (entitled "Pretrial release and detention"): "Unless charged with a capital offense or an offense punishable by life imprisonment and the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption is great, every person charged with a crime or violation of municipal or county ordinance shall be entitled to pretrial release on reasonable conditions. If no conditions of release can reasonably protect the community from risk of physical harm to persons, assure the presence of the accused at trial, or assure the integrity of the judicial process, the accused may be detained." Per Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.131(a) (entitled "Right to Pretrial Release"): "Unless charged with a capital offense or an offense punishable by life imprisonment and the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption is great, every person charged with a crime or violation of municipal or county ordinance shall be entitled to pretrial release on reasonable conditions."
Whether you have to go out of pocket to post bond or not, unless you're represented by Court Appointed Counsel (be it by the Public Defender, Regional Counsel, or other), posting bond is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Among the many commonly unavoidable collateral costs associated with defending a Criminal Case are:
- Financial: Typical monetary costs are expenses for bond, towing, impound fees, Legal Fees, investigative fees, expert witness fees, expenses associated with production of discovery (e.g. depositions, preparing exhibits, demonstrative aids, etcetera), court costs, fines, surcharges, fees associated with licenses and licensing and personal costs such as the possibility that one may lose a job / source of income.
- Emotional: Although they're admittedly more akin to "taxes" on the mind, body and soul, stress, anxiety, tension and trauma are also costs typically associated with a Criminal Prosecution.
- Personal: This refers to the many pronounced effects across a broad spectrum of life such as compromising one's individual, familial, academic and employment worlds as well as the echoing impact upon one's family, friends, colleagues, coworkers and others.
- Time: Noting that some cases are "Dismissed" at Arraignment the proverbial "payment" of financial, emotional and personal costs / taxes almost always occurs over a far longer period of time ranging from months to years.
Getting back to money I rhetorically ask: Does every penny count? To most of us the answer is "yes", so, if you aren't required to post a Monetary Bond then while you'll save a few bucks up front (at least the 10% premium your Limited Surety Agent / Bondsman is statutorily entitled to as a fee), from that moment until the case closes (aside alert: "closing" often extends well past the disposition date) you'll somehow still have to pay (again, not just financially). That said retaining as your Criminal Defense Lawyer will provide some degree of respite and you can take comfort in the following:
As to legal fees, approaches the subject and extends fee quotes in the same manner that we approach our business model, to wit: in a "boutique" fashion. Unlike many unscrupulous attorneys we recognize that each case and client is unique. Thus we never quote legal fees based simply upon charges; rather we quote fees only after we've reviewed all available Police Reports, met and interviewed the client, gotten as realistic a feel as possible for the facts and circumstances of the case (e.g. the nature of the charges, the possible penalties, the risks associated with the victim) and the client (e.g. Criminal History, special needs or concerns), the likely admissible evidence, the reasonable probabilities in the case, the Judge's peculiarities and proclivities, identifying and agreeing upon a realistic litigation objective and then determining how much time and effort we'll have to expend in attempting to reach the client's chosen goal. In this way will be as fair as possible to both ourselves and you, our beloved client.
As a boutique Criminal Defense Litigation Law Firm we're fiercely proud of our literal hundreds of 5-Star Client Reviews (feel free to peruse them at: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/33181-fl-michael-haber-1281525/reviews.html ), we maintain the highest standard of excellence and provide comprehensive, personalized care with the following "truths":
- We're established in 1991;
- We've no history of professional discipline whatsoever;
- We've earned hundreds of 5-Star Client Reviews;
- We're easily reachable by phone, email or on the internet;
- We practice open, honest, direct and frequent communication;
- We take a "Global Approach" to both you and your case;
- We come to understand you and your situation;
- We adopt your interests as our own;
- We identify and secure a realistic litigation objective;
- We quote and honor a reasonable fee (in writing);
- We rapidly investigate and prepare your case;
- We concurrently prepare precautionary mitigation materials;
- We won't engage in delay, grovel, kowtow, stipulation or surrender;
- We relentlessly challenge State Witnesses and State Evidence;
- We'll highlight inconsistencies in State witnesses and evidence;
- We strategically wield the Rules of Evidence;
- We tactically manipulate the Rules of Criminal Procedure;
- We ethically employ guile to accomplish our Client's goal;
- We take advantage of any Loophole / Technicality;
- We artfully conduct Voir Dire / Jury Selection;
- We masterfully employ the art of Cross-Examination;
- We conjure and make persuasive argument;
- We'll emphasize both conflicts in and any lack of evidence;
- We'll constantly remind the Trier of Fact of their constitutional duty to afford you Due Process of Law; and
- We'll move Heaven and Earth to achieve your goal, secure your acquittal and restore your good name.
With all of that said if you care to learn more about Bail / Bond / Pretrial Release in Florida then happily offers the following information to the general public:
- "Bail, Bond and Pretrial Release in FL - a fairly definitive Legal Guide by Michael A. Haber, Esq.", published on AVVO at the following URL: https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/bail-bond-and-pretrial-release-in-fl-a-fairly-definitive-legal-guide-by-michael-a-haber-esq-
- ( 's Youtube channel / VideoFAQ) has 401 (soon to be 419) short, informative and hopefully entertaining "Webisodes" including # 352 - # 371 which specifically address PTR issues in Florida. Please watch, and if you've not yet done so then subscribe, at www.youtube.com/c/michaelhaberlaw
Should you, a friend, a loved one or even someone that you {don't particularly like but happen to} know be in a jam with the Criminal Justice System then you can rest assured that either retaining or recommending will not only reflect well on you but will provide the client with unwavering, relentless, honest advocacy.
Established in 1991 and with no history whatsoever of any form of professional discipline, is readily available to have open, honest dialogue with potential clients and to quote and honor reasonable fees after identifying a realistic litigation objective. We're proud of our unblemished, time proven record of both having our client's "6:00", 24-7-365, 360° and of providing boutique, creative, effective, unwavering and zealous , , , , , , , , , and and representation to it's clientele, primarily in , on matters ranging from DUI to and from to .
At "it's all about Reasonable Doubt"!
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