BONDS BACKFIRE

 This is what happens when government bureaucrats want to help and tinker with things because they want to make their jobs relevant. 

Case in point the implementation of the new bond system. 

A new bond system! Whoppee!! All sorts of good things are going to happen with a new bond system including removing the unfair economic advantage successful people have over non-economically successful people in posting bonds. Now everyone needs to wait their turn and the system is more fair. 

It was almost like once finished with making bonds fair, our government would turn to things like dining out and designer goods, removing the ability of people who can afford to eat at Deliliah in Miami Beach (don't bother- overrated and under produces ) or buy Channel wallets - and making sure everyone has equal access to all the finer things in life. "Fron each according to their abilities..."  is making a comback, starting with bonds. 

Well, the best laid plans of mice and (we cannot finish the phrase whilst still being gender sensitive)  have come home to roost. 

Starting January 1 our new bond schedule resulted in this- NO ONE - NO ......ONE has been allowed to bond out in Miami without first attending a first appearance.  And when Miami Dade corrections was queried about this, they gave this legal and adult- reasoned response:  "Judge Sayfie made us do it!"

This is not criticism of our chief judge. We are fairly certain she did not tell corrections this, and that - shockingly- someone from the jail misread her order and instructions (like when they decided that only Carlos Martinez and Gene Zenobi could see PD and Regional clients because their names were on the notice of appearances- and just to hammer home the point, they still contend that if the law firm of Black and White file a notice of appearance, and lawyer Green is listed as an associate, lawyer Green cannot see the client ). 

So here we sit with yet another example of "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."  Your friendly neighborhood bondsperson (<---- note- gender neutral!) has all the details.  And this being Miami-Dade corrections, after several dozen meetings and memos you can expect that some time around June 2024 this will be resolved by them deciding no one should be released on bond at all. 

What a great way (at least for the blog) to start off 2024! 

YOU ASKED FOR IT - IT'S FINALLY HERE - FLORIDA'S UNIFORM STATEWIDE BOND SCHEDULE

Updated by Rumpole: The Official Schedule approved by the Supreme Court (Motto: "Precedent in death penalty cases is wayyyy overrated" )  is included at the bottom of the post.

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS:

UNIFORM STATEWIDE BOND SCHEDULE .....

The Supreme Court of Florida signed Administrative Order No. AOSC23-88 on December 12, 2023.

The bond schedule below is effective from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

For a more detailed understanding of the AO, you can find the seven page document here: 

In part, the AO reads:

The uniform statewide bond schedule shall not bind a judge in an individual case who is conducting a first appearance hearing or bail determination.

The chief judge of a judicial circuit may establish a local bond schedule that adds conditions of release and/or increases the bond amounts above those required by this schedule. The chief judge of a judicial circuit may petition this Court for approval of a local bond schedule that sets lower bond amounts than those required by this schedule. 

......

§ 903.011(6), Florida Statutes, states in pertinent part: A person may not be released before his or her first appearance hearing . . . if the person meets any of the following criteria:

The AO then goes on to list seven subsections, including:

(g) The person’s current offense of arrest is for one or more of the following crimes:

1. A capital felony, life felony, felony of the first degree, or felony of the second degree;

.......

Each crime of arrest requires a separate bond pursuant to § 903.02(4), Florida Statutes, and Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.131(b)(2).

HERE IS THE BOND SCHEDULE:

1. For persons arrested for a crime listed in § 903.011(6), Fla. Stat., or who meet the criteria in § 903.011(6), Fla. Stat.

Bond: None; 1st appearance required

2. For persons not covered by number 1., arrested for a third degree felony that involves any amount of force or threat of force against a person.

Bond: $5,000

3. For persons not covered by number 1., arrested for a third degree felony that does not involve any force or threat of force against a person.

Bond: $2,500

4. For persons not covered by number 1., arrested for a first degree misdemeanor or an ordinance punishable like a first degree misdemeanor, that involves any amount of force or threat of force against a person. 

Bond: $1,000

5. For persons not covered by number 1., arrested for a first degree misdemeanor or an ordinance punishable like a first degree misdemeanor, that does not involve any force or threat of force against a person and that is not driving under the influence or boating under the influence.

Bond: $500

6. For persons not covered by number 1., arrested for a second degree misdemeanor or an ordinance punishable like a second degree misdemeanor, that involves any amount of force or threat of force against a person.

Bond: $250

7. For persons not covered by number 1., arrested for a second degree misdemeanor or an ordinance punishable like a second degree misdemeanor, that does not involve force or threat of force against a person and that is not driving under the influence or boating under the influence.

Bond: $150

8. For persons not covered by numbers 1. or 3., arrested for driving under the influence or boating under the influence.

a. First degree misdemeanor.             Bond: $1,000

b. Second offense, second degree misdemeanor.     Bond: $750

c. First offense, second degree misdemeanor.     Bond: $500

CAPTAIN OUT .......
Captain4Justice@gmail.com

Supreme Court of Florida Administrative Order No. AOSC23-88, In Re_ Uniform Statewide Bond Schedule by Anonymous PbHV4H on Scribd