Advisory Hearing DEFENDERS of Your Rights. Your Life. Your Future.

Advisory Hearing

Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130(a) establishes that except when previously released in a lawful manner, every arrested person must be taken before a judicial officer—either in person or by electronic audiovisual device in the discretion of the court—within 24 hours of his or her arrest.

The chief judge of the circuit for each county within the circuit must designate one or more judicial officers from the circuit court, or county court, to be available for the first appearance and proceedings, which must be attended by the state attorney or an assistant state attorney and public defender or an assistant public defender.

An alleged offender’s first appearance in a criminal case is also referred to as an advisory hearing. A judge will inform the individual of his or her rights and set an appropriate bond based upon the evidence presented. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to get an alleged offender released on his or her own recognizance, also known as an ROR bond.

Attorney for Advisory Hearings in St. Petersburg, FL

If you or your loved one were arrested in the Tampa Bay area, it is in your best interest to make sure that you have legal counsel before making your first appearance. Morris Law Firm, P.A. defends clients accused of various kinds of criminal offenses in Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, and several surrounding areas of Pinellas County.

Melinda Morris is a skilled criminal defense lawyer in St. Petersburg who also has experience on the other side of the aisle as a former felony prosecutor for the State Attorney’s Office in Pinellas County.

Call (727) 592-5885 right now to have our attorney review your case and discuss all of your legal options during a free, confidential consultation.


Overview of Advisory Hearings in Florida

Pinellas County Advisory Hearing Procedures

Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130(b), judge shall immediately inform the defendant of the charge, including an alleged violation of probation or community control and provide the defendant with a copy of the complaint. The judge shall also adequately advise the defendant that:

  • the alleged offender is not required to say anything, and that anything the alleged offender says may be used against him or her;
  • if unrepresented, that the alleged offender has a right to counsel, and, if financially unable to afford counsel, that counsel will be appointed; and
  • the alleged offender has a right to communicate with counsel, family, or friends, and if necessary, will be provided reasonable means to do so.

Administrative Order Number 2006-097 PA/PI CIR states that at the beginning of each first appearance (advisories), the presiding circuit judge or county judge will provide an initial advisement to all arrested persons pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130(b). The judge will then conduct a probable cause determination.

If a judge finds there was no probable cause, the alleged offender may be issued an ROR bond. When probable cause is established, the judge will decide an appropriate bond amount.

Advisory Hearing Bond Schedule in St. Petersburg

Administrative Order Number 2010-041 PI-CIR establishes the following ranges of bonds to be used for new criminal offenses in Pinellas County (although certain exceptions exist for many categories except for capital felony and municipal ordinance violations, many detailed in Attachment A at the bottom of the Administrative Order):

Category of Crime

Low Bond

High Bond

Recommended Bond

Capital Felony

None

None

None

Life Felony

$100,000

None

None

First-Degree Felony (punishable by life)

$50,000

None

$150,000

Second-Degree Murder

$100,000

None

None

First-Degree Felony (not punishable by life)

$10,000

$100,000

$50,000

Second-Degree Felony

$5,000

$20,000

$10,000

Second-Degree Felony specified on Attachment A

ROR–SUPERVISED

$10,000

$5,000

Third-Degree Felony

ROR–SUPERVISED

$10,000

$5,000

Third-Degree Felony specified on Attachment A

ROR–SUPERVISED

$5,000

$2,000

Third-Degree Felony Battery

$1,000

$5,000

$2,500

Third-Degree Felony DUI and BUI offenses

$2,500

$10,000

$5,000

Third-Degree Felony DWLSR offenses where defendant has four or more previous DWLSRs or the defendant’s license was previously suspended due to DUI or drug charges

$2,500

$10,000

$5,000

First-Degree Misdemeanor

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$500

$150

First-Degree Misdemeanor Battery

$250

$1,000

$500

DUI or BUI – Property Damage, first or second offense

$250

$1,000

$500

DUI or BUI – Property Damage, third offense

$500

$2,500

$1,000

First-Degree Misdemeanor DWLSR offenses where defendant has four or more previous DWLSRs or the defendant’s license was previously suspended due to DUI or drug charges

$500

$2,500

$1,000

Failure to Appear (FTA)

$250

$1,500

$500

Prostitution offenses, second or subsequent offense

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$500

$250

Second-Degree Misdemeanor

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$250

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

Disorderly Intoxication

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$250

$100

Criminal Traffic

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$250

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

DUI or BUI – No Property Damage, first or second offense

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$500

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

DUI or BUI – No Property Damage, third offense

$500

$1,000

$750

Municipal Ordinance Violations

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

$250

ROR–UNSUPERVISED

The Pinellas County Uniform Bond Schedule also establishes that the bond is automatically none for capital crimes, and an alleged offender is to be held with no bond until his or her first appearance hearing before the judge for the following:

  • Non-domestic stalking, Florida Statute § 784.048(2)
  • Any violation of an injunction for dating, repeat or sexual violence, Florida Statute § 741.30(9)(b);
  • Any violation of pretrial release where the original arrest was for an act of domestic violence, Florida Statute § 741.29(6);
  • Any arrest where the crime charged is a violation of Chapter 874 of the Florida Statutes (otherwise known as the Criminal Gang Prevention Act) or alleged to be subject to enhanced punishment under Chapter 874 of the Florida Statutes; or
  • Any arrest for burglary during a state of emergency in the county, Florida Statute § 810.02.

Judges have the power to raise or lower bond amounts are advisory hearings. A St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer can attempt to get your bond reduced or possibly have you released on ROR if police did not have probable cause.

Advisory Hearing Resources in Florida

Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida — Florida is divided into 20 judicial circuits, and circuit courts are referred to as courts of general jurisdiction at which most criminal and civil cases originate. Some circuits are limited to single counties, but most circuits cover multiple counties. The Sixth Judicial Circuit has general trial jurisdiction over matters in Pasco County and Pinellas County. All cases filed in these two counties are assigned to one of nine different court divisions.

Pinellas County Justice Center
14250 49th St. North
Clearwater, FL 33762
(727) 592-5885

Jail | Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office — The Pinellas County Jail is the only jail in the county and serves all law enforcement agencies, with an average daily population of more than 3,000 inmates. Visit this website to learn more about the jail, inmate services, and how to post bond. The Property & Evidence section of the website discusses firearms release procedures and unclaimed found property or unclaimed evidence procedures.

Pinellas County Jail
14400 49th N. St.
Clearwater, FL 33762
(727) 464-6415

Find an Advisory Hearing Defense Lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL

Were you or your loved one arrested anywhere in the Tampa Bay area? Make sure you contact Morris Law Firm, P.A. before your first appearance.

St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney Melinda Morris represents residents of and visitors to Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Pasco County, and Pinellas County. You can have our lawyer provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call (727) 592-5885 or fill out an online contact form to set up a free initial consultation.

Why Choose Our Law Firm?

See the Difference Our Service Provides
  • FORMER STATE PROSECUTOR

    Melinda Morris is a former prosecutor and has handled thousands of criminal cases from investigation through sentencing enabling us to identify weaknesses in the State’s case against you.

  • STRATEGICALLY AGGRESSIVE

    We never settle for the easiest outcome or the typical result. We know how to negotiate with the State Attorney and we will work to get you the best possible outcome.

  • TRUSTED & EXPERIENCED

    Melinda Morris has practiced criminal law for over 20 years. Our clients trust advice that comes from experience in nearly every type of criminal case.

  • PERSONAL ATTENTION

    We will know every client’s story because we will take the time to listen and understand. You will work with your attorney one-on-one at every stage of the process.

  • PROMPT COMMUNICATION

    You will have the cell phone number of your attorney. Your attorney will directly return your call, email, or text to answer your pressing questions.

  • SAME DAY REPRESENTATION

    The government is wasting no time in trying to prove your guilt, a proactive defense is imperative. Prompt and decisive action from your defense attorney is of critical importance.

Meet the Attorneys

Melinda Morris & Seth Shapiro

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