How much is bail in Broward or Miami-Dade?

Each circuit publishes a Standard Bond Schedule by Administrative Order that assigns a baseline dollar amount to most criminal charges — the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit for Broward County and the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for Miami-Dade County. The bond schedule applies automatically after arrest, allowing the defendant to post bond before first appearance. At first appearance (within 24 hours), a judge can deviate from the schedule based on the statutory factors in Fla. Stat. § 903.046: community ties, criminal history, danger to the community, flight risk, and victim safety.

Capital offenses, life felonies, and offenses enumerated in the Dangerous Crimes Act (Fla. Stat. § 907.041) are non-bondable on the standard schedule in both Broward and Miami-Dade. Domestic violence offenses are held without bond until first appearance under § 741.2901. Drug trafficking offenses are typically non-bondable on the schedule. For these charges, bond is set individually by the judge — and may require an Arthur hearing, where the State must show "proof evident, presumption great" before bond can be denied.

A cash bond requires the full bond amount to be paid in cash to the county corrections agency (Broward Sheriff’s Office in Broward, Miami-Dade Corrections in Miami-Dade); it is refunded at the end of the case (less court costs) if all appearances are made. A surety bond is posted by a licensed Florida bail bondsman, who charges a non-refundable fee — typically 10% of the bond amount — and posts the full amount with the court. For a $5,000 bond, the cash option costs $5,000 (refundable); the bondsman costs $500 (non-refundable).

In Broward County, bond is posted at the Broward County Main Jail, 555 SE 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, operated by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. In Miami-Dade County, bond is posted at the Miami-Dade Pre-Trial Detention Center (PTDC), 1321 NW 13th St, Miami, FL 33125 (booking line (786) 263-7000). Both facilities process bond 24/7. The person posting must bring valid government-issued ID and the defendant's booking or case number.

Yes. At first appearance, the defense can argue for a reduction below the standard schedule amount, for release on recognizance (ROR), or for non-monetary conditions in lieu of cash bond. The defense typically presents proof of community ties, employment, residence stability, and a written release plan. Many Broward and Miami-Dade first-appearance judges will significantly reduce or eliminate bond when the defense presents this information persuasively.

An Arthur hearing — named after State v. Arthur, 390 So. 2d 717 (Fla. 1980) — is required before a court can deny bond on a non-bondable offense. At the hearing, the State must demonstrate "proof evident, presumption great" that the defendant committed the offense. If the State meets that burden, the court has discretion to deny bond; if it does not, bond must be set.