You’ve been arrested and booked. Now what? Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130 governs First Appearances. Essentially you are brought before a judge within 24 hours of your arrest for your First Appearance.
Here you’ll
- be told your charge,
- be advised of the right to remain silent and that you have the right to a lawyer,
- and be told that you can communicate with your family
Usually the judge at First Appearances will ask you if you intend on representing yourself, hiring a lawyer or are asking for appointment of the Public Defender. If you ask for the Public Defender, the judge will question you about your finances.
The Judge will also address Pre-Trial Release – meaning bond. You could be released on bond, on your own recognizance or held without bond. If a monetary bond is set, there are likely to be non-monetary conditions as well. Those are really important because violating a non-monetary condition of bond (like contacting someone involved in your case or having alcohol) often takes away your right to bond.
First Appearances are frequently recorded. And there is a prosecutor present – or there by video. It’s important that you know and exercise your rights at First Appearances. Make sure that you contact Dunham and Ingram as soon as possible after your arrest so that we can protect your rights.