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If you need bail bonds in Orlando, Florida, understanding how the local legal system sets prices is the first step toward getting your loved one home. For first-time offenders, the process can feel overwhelming, but the Uniform Bond Schedule exists to simplify things by assigning standard bail amounts to common charges. This guide breaks down exactly how that schedule works in Orange County and what you can expect to pay.
The Uniform Bond Schedule is a predetermined list of bail amounts for specific criminal offenses used by the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Orange and Osceola counties. Its main purpose is to speed up the release process. Instead of waiting hours or even days to see a judge for a first appearance hearing, eligible defendants can bond out almost immediately by paying the standard amount listed on the schedule.
Think of it like a menu at a restaurant. Just as a menu lists set prices for specific meals, the bond schedule lists set bail amounts for specific charges. This system ensures fairness and consistency, so two people arrested for the same minor crime on the same night generally face the same bail amount.
While this schedule is used statewide in Florida in concept, the specific amounts can vary by county. In Orlando, local judges review and update these figures periodically. This allows the booking officers at the Orange County Jail (often referred to as "33rd Street") to process arrests efficiently without needing a judge to weigh in on every single misdemeanor case immediately.
In Orlando, misdemeanors are less severe crimes, but they still carry financial consequences. The bond schedule provides clear guidance on what these charges typically cost to bond out.
Second Degree Misdemeanors:
These are the least serious criminal charges. Under the current schedule, the standard bond is often set around $250 to $500. Common examples we see in local neighborhoods like College Park or MetroWest include:
First Degree Misdemeanors:
These are more serious than second-degree offenses and carry higher bond amounts, typically ranging from $500 to $1,000. Frequent charges in the downtown Orlando area might include:
DUI Charges:
Driving Under the Influence is a unique category. For a first-time DUI with no property damage or injury, the bond is often set at $500 to $1,000. However, the defendant usually has to stay in custody for at least 8 hours to "sober up" before they can be released, regardless of when the bond is posted.
Note: These amounts are the total bail set by the court. If you use a bondsman, you typically pay only 10% of this amount.
Felonies are serious crimes, and the Uniform Bond Schedule reflects that severity with much higher bail amounts. While a judge often reviews felony bonds, the schedule provides a starting point for booking.
Third Degree Felonies:
These charges often carry a standard bond of $1,000 to $2,500. In our experience working near the Florida Mall and tourist districts, common third-degree felonies include:
Second Degree Felonies:
The bond amount jumps significantly here, often ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on the specific nature of the crime. Examples include:
First Degree Felonies:
For the most serious charges, standard bonds can range from $10,000 to $15,000 or more. However, for crimes punishable by life in prison (PBL), there is often no bond set automatically. The defendant must see a judge. Common first-degree charges include:
It's important to remember that these are just standard amounts. A bondsman typically charges a 10% premium. So, for a $5,000 bond, you would pay a non-refundable fee of $500 to the bail agent.
While the Uniform Bond Schedule sets the baseline, it isn't set in stone. Several factors can cause a judge to raise or lower the bail amount during the first appearance hearing, which usually happens within 24 hours of arrest.
Criminal History:
A first-time offender in Orlando is much more likely to receive the standard scheduled bond—or even a release on their own recognizance (ROR)—than someone with a lengthy rap sheet. If a defendant has skipped court in the past, a judge will view them as a higher flight risk and likely increase the bail.
Severity of the Offense:
Even within specific charge categories, details matter. A simple battery charge might have a standard $1,000 bond, but if the incident involved significant injury or occurred in a sensitive location like a school or hospital, the judge might raise that amount significantly.
Ties to the Community:
Judges look favorably on defendants who are established in the community. Living in established neighborhoods like Winter Park or Dr. Phillips, having a steady job, and having family in the area all signal to the court that the defendant is likely to show up for their court date.
The "Stacking" Effect:
If someone is arrested on multiple charges, the bonds stack up. For example, if a person is arrested for DUI ($1,000 bond) and also found with a controlled substance ($2,000 bond), the total bond amount required for release would be $3,000.
According to Florida Statutes Chapter 903, the primary purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant appears in court and to protect the community [1].
If you can't afford to pay the full cash bail amount to the court, using a bail bondsman is the most common alternative. Here is how the process works for a first-time offender.
1. Locate the Defendant:
First, verify where the person is being held. In Orlando, this is usually the Orange County Jail. You'll need their full name and booking number if possible.
2. Contact a Bondsman:
Call a licensed bail bond agency like Mike Snapp Bail Bonds. We're available 24/7 because arrests don't stick to business hours. We'll ask for the defendant's name, the charges, and the total bond amount.
3. Complete the Paperwork:
You'll need to sign a contract and pay the premium. In Florida, the standard rate is 10% for bonds up to a certain amount, and typically 15% for federal bonds. For a $1,000 bond, you pay $100. This fee is how the bondsman earns a living and is non-refundable.
4. Posting the Bond:
Once the paperwork is done, the bondsman goes to the jail to post the bond. From that point, release processing at the Orange County Jail can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on how busy they are.
Mike Snapp Bail Bonds specializes in helping families navigate this for the first time. We explain every step clearly so you aren't left guessing.
Getting out on bail is a privilege, not a "get out of jail free" card. It comes with specific rules that must be followed to stay out of custody.
The Right to Release:
Under the Florida Constitution, most defendants have a right to pretrial release on reasonable conditions, unless charged with a capital offense or a crime punishable by life imprisonment where the proof of guilt is evident.
Attendance is Mandatory:
The single most important responsibility is attending every single court date. Whether it's an arraignment at the Orange County Courthouse on Orange Avenue or a status hearing, missing a date is a major violation.
No New Crimes:
It sounds obvious, but getting arrested again while out on bail will almost certainly result in the bond being revoked. The defendant usually stays in jail until the new case is resolved.
Update Contact Info:
You must keep your address and phone number current with both the Clerk of Courts and your bondsman. If we can't find you, we can't help you.
Slipping up while on bail has serious repercussions. If a defendant misses court or breaks the rules, the system reacts quickly.
Bond Revocation:
If a defendant fails to appear (FTA), the judge issues a bench warrant for their arrest. The bond is forfeited, meaning the court keeps the money. If you used a bondsman, the bondsman is now on the hook for the full amount and will look for the defendant to return them to custody.
Additional Charges:
"Failure to Appear" is a separate criminal charge. If the original charge was a felony, skipping court is a third-degree felony. This just adds more time and money to the original problem.
Financial Loss:
If you co-signed for the bond, you are financially responsible. If the defendant runs, you could lose any collateral you put up, such as a car title or even a mortgage deed.
Statistics show that defendants released on financial bond are more likely to appear in court compared to those released on their own recognizance, simply because there is money on the line [2].
When you're dealing with the stress of an arrest, you need a local expert who knows the Orange County system inside and out. Mike Snapp Bail Bonds has served Central Florida for years, offering a steady hand during chaotic times.
Personalized Service:
We know that every case is different. Whether it's a college student in trouble near UCF or a parent dealing with a mistake in Windermere, we treat every client with respect and discretion. We aren't a massive corporate call center; we're your neighbors.
Expertise You Can Trust:
We know the booking officers, the court schedules, and the specific quirks of the Uniform Bond Schedule. We can often tell you within minutes exactly what a bond will cost and how long the release will take.
Navigating the legal system is daunting, but understanding the Uniform Bond Schedule gives you a roadmap for what to expect. For first-time offenders in Orlando, knowing the standard costs for common charges helps you prepare financially and mentally for the process ahead. Remember, bail is just the tool to get you home so you can fight your case from the outside.
If you or a loved one needs help with bail bonds in Orlando, Florida, don't face the system alone.
Contact Mike Snapp Bail Bonds today at (407) 246-0919 or immediate, confidential assistance. Let our family help yours get back to normal.
[1] Florida Legislature, "Chapter 903: Bail," Online Sunshine, 2023.
[2] Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Pretrial Release and Misconduct in Federal District Courts," U.S. Department of Justice.