FIRST APPEARANCE
In Florida, an arrestee, one who has been arrested must be taken before a judge or judicial officer within 24 hours of his or her arrest. Andrew D. Stine has been called at all hours of the day and night, by family members of the accused, to appear at the defendant’s court hearing. Mr. Stine will be at the First Appearance for you or your loved one. The First Appearance is important because that is the hearing in which Bond or Bail will or will not be set. In Florida, the law holds that each individual arrested on a criminal charge is entitled to a reasonable bond.
In rare cases, bond may not be granted to the accused at his or her First Appearance. This granting of no bond is rare and only occurs in limited situations such as: when the arrested is on probation and the new arrest violates their probation, when the accused is a risk of flight, when the accused is charged with a crime punishable by death and the evident of guilt is overwhelming, when the accused has an open warrant for failure to appear, and in other limited circumstances. Understand though, bond or bail is most usually granted to the accused.
The conditions of pre-trial release: bond, bail, SOR and the like, are determined at the First Appearance. Many times, Criminal Defense Attorney Andrew D. Stine can provide you or your loved one with a pre-trial release condition(s) that is feasible, economical, and non restrictive. All First Appearance in Palm Beach County occur at the Gun Club Jail or Gun Club Courthouse. Mr. Stine has appeared at this location on weekends, holidays and even during a hurricane to provide the accused or arrestee with representation that is second to none. Also remember that at the First Appearance the presiding Judge or Judicial Officer will determine if Probable Cause exist to send the case forward. Mr. Stine will argue, if appropriate, that probable cause is lacking as to a criminal charge and has been successful in actually having criminal matters resolved and dismissed at the first appearance.