It's the middle of the night, or the middle of a workday, and your phone rings. Someone you love has just been arrested. Here's exactly what to do in the next few hours — and where a bondsman's help ends and a lawyer's begins.
If this is an emergency: message me on WhatsApp or call now. I personally appear at first-appearance bond hearings in Miami-Dade, including the morning after an arrest. The consultation is free.
I don't know where they are
I know the bond amount — now what?
We posted bond and they're still not out
Find out where they are and what they're charged with
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department keeps an official online inmate search. Search by name and it will show you the booking date, the charges filed, and whether a bond amount has been set — save or screenshot that, you'll need it when you call.
What it won't tell you is what those charges mean for release, or whether the bond can be challenged. That's the difference between looking the information up yourself and having someone fight for a lower number.
The first 24 hours
Florida law moves on a clock, whether anyone explains it to you or not. Here's the actual sequence:
Somewhere around booking, a bond status shows up next to their name in the jail system. Here's what it actually means:
A judge hasn't set an amount yet — the charge requires a bond hearing first. Not impossible, just not yet argued.
Same idea — the amount gets set at the first appearance, typically the next morning.
Released on a written promise to appear, no money posted. Whether someone qualifies is an argument made at the hearing.
Surety = a bondsman's non-refundable ~10% fee. Cash = full amount paid to the court, refundable once the case resolves.
At the first appearance, a judge reviews the charges, confirms or sets the bond, and can attach conditions like a no-contact order. This is the single most important moment in the first days of a case — and it's the one moment a bondsman has no role in at all. I appear at these hearings personally; I don't send an associate.
What a bondsman can do
- Post the bond amount the court already set
- Nothing more — that's the entire service
What an attorney can do
- Argue the bond amount down at the hearing
- Argue for release on own recognizance
- Resolve holds that have nothing to do with the bond amount
- Protect the underlying case from day one
If you posted bond and they're still not out
Some of the hardest calls I get are from families who already arranged the money, only to learn posting it won't bring their loved one home. These five holds all require an attorney — a bondsman has no path through any of them:
Nebbia hold
The court requires proof the bond money is legitimate — common in drug, fraud, and money-laundering cases.
Immigration detainer (ICE hold)
ICE can ask the jail to hold someone up to 48 extra hours after release, so they can take custody.
Alias capias warrant
Issued for missing a court date — authorizes arrest on sight and often revokes the existing bond.
Out on felony bond hold
A new arrest while already out on bond for a separate felony — can trigger a violation in that earlier case too.
Fugitive warrant
Another state or country has an outstanding warrant and is seeking the person's return.
What I do once you call
I review the charges and bond status with you, tell you honestly what's realistic given the facts, and if there's a bond hearing coming up, I appear at it myself — I don't hand your case to an associate. As a former Miami-Dade prosecutor, I know how the state approaches these hearings, because I used to be on the other side of them.
If the case is later dismissed or resolved favorably, it may also be possible to seal or expunge the arrest from your record down the road — something worth asking about once the case itself is resolved.
How do I find out if someone is in jail in Miami-Dade?
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department's online inmate locator shows current bookings, charges, and bond status. It's a good first step, but it won't tell you whether that bond can be challenged — that's a conversation with an attorney.
What does "no bond" mean on a Miami-Dade inmate search?
It means a judge hasn't set a monetary bond yet, typically because the charge requires a bond hearing rather than the standard bond schedule. It does not mean release is impossible.
What does "bond TBD" or "bond to be determined" mean?
The amount hasn't been set and will be addressed at the first appearance, usually the next morning. An attorney can argue at that hearing for the lowest reasonable amount.
What is a bond hearing (first appearance)?
A hearing before a judge, required within 24 hours of arrest, where the bond is set or confirmed. It's the first real chance for an attorney to argue for a lower bond or release without bond.
Can a bondsman get the bond amount reduced?
No. A bondsman can only post the amount the court already set. Only an attorney can file a motion for bond reduction and argue it before a judge.
What is a Nebbia hold?
A requirement to prove, in court, that bond money comes from a legitimate source — common in drug and fraud cases. It takes an attorney presenting documentation at a hearing, not a bondsman.
What is an immigration detainer (ICE hold)?
A request for the jail to hold someone up to 48 extra hours after release so ICE can take custody. Posting bond does not remove it.
What is an alias capias warrant?
A warrant issued for missing a court date, authorizing arrest on sight and often revoking bond. An attorney can arrange a controlled surrender instead.
What does an "out on felony bond" hold mean?
A new arrest while already out on bond for a separate felony, which can trigger a violation in the earlier case as well.
What is a fugitive warrant / fugitive from justice hold?
Another state or country is seeking the person's return, which can lead to extradition proceedings — a matter for an extradition-experienced attorney, not a local bondsman.
How long does it take to bail someone out of jail in Miami-Dade?
If the bond amount is already set, a bondsman can typically post it within a few hours. If a bond hearing is required first, release won't happen until after that hearing, usually the next business day.
Can you post bail on weekends in Miami-Dade?
Yes, if the bond amount is already set. First appearances also happen daily, including weekends and holidays.