This post explains in general terms what usually happens at first appearance in Pinellas County. Every case is different and procedures can change, so the fastest way to get answers about a specific case is to call or text Attorney Ron Frey for a free and confidential consultation at (813) 775-2276, or call toll-free at (844) 766-3739.

What Happens at First Appearance in Pinellas County

In Florida, a person who stays in custody after an arrest generally sees a judge within 24 hours at first appearance. In Pinellas County, the person usually appears by video from the jail, while the judge and the prosecutor are in the courtroom. If an attorney has been hired before the hearing, the attorney can appear there and speak for the person about release and conditions.

First appearance is not a trial, and no plea is entered. The judge generally looks at whether there was probable cause for the arrest and addresses bond and any release conditions, such as no-contact orders. In cases involving a family or household member, those conditions can affect where a person is able to stay once released. Our Pinellas domestic battery page explains more.

Bond, Release, and What Families Can Do

Some charges have a set bond amount, and a person may be able to bond out before first appearance. Others generally require the person to wait for the hearing. Whether to post bond right away or wait depends on the charge and the circumstances, and it’s worth talking with an attorney before deciding.

Calls from the jail are generally recorded, so it’s usually best to keep those calls to logistics and support. To help an attorney get started, it’s useful to have your friend or family member’s full name, date of birth, any booking number, the listed charges, and details about their job and family ties. If you don’t have all of that, call anyway.

What Happens After First Appearance

After first appearance, the case generally moves to the State Attorney’s Office, which decides what charges, if any, to formally file. An arraignment is usually scheduled later. Diversion programs exist, and some people may qualify; our post on Pinellas PTI and other diversion options has more. If the arrest happened across the bay, see our guide to first appearance in Hillsborough County.

Arrested in Pinellas County? Call Attorney Ron Frey.

Attorney Ron Frey has over two decades of experience defending people accused of crimes in Pinellas County and throughout Florida. He is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Pinellas County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Call or text (813) 775-2276 or call toll-free (844) 766-3739 for a free and confidential consultation. Learn more about our Pinellas County criminal defense work.

This post is general information at the time of this writing and is not legal advice. Laws and local procedures change, so contact an attorney about your specific situation.

Photo: Andrew Heneen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Every case is different, and procedures can change. The steps below are a general overview, not legal advice for any specific situation. The fastest way to get answers about your family member’s case is to call or text Attorney Ron Frey for a free and confidential consultation at (813) 775-2276, or call toll-free at (844) 766-3739.

Finding Out Where Your Family Member Is Being Held

Hillsborough County has more than one jail, including the Orient Road and Falkenburg Road facilities. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has an online arrest inquiry where you can generally search by first and last name. A very recent booking may not show up right away, so if you don’t find your friend or family member at first, try again later.

Keep in mind that calls from the jail are generally recorded. Families often want to ask what happened, but anything said on a jail call may be heard by others later. It’s usually best to keep those calls to logistics and support, and let an attorney handle the details of the case.

When Will They See a Judge?

In Florida, a person who stays in custody after an arrest generally sees a judge within 24 hours at what’s called first appearance. In Hillsborough, people may also hear it called PP Court or Division O. The person usually appears by video from the jail, while the judge and the prosecutor are in the courtroom. If an attorney has been hired before the hearing, the attorney can appear there and speak for the person about release and conditions.

First appearance is not a trial, and no plea is entered. The judge generally looks at whether there was probable cause for the arrest and sets bond and any release conditions. You can read more in our guide to first appearance in Hillsborough County. If the arrest came from an online undercover sting, see what happens after an online sting arrest in Tampa Bay.

Should You Post Bond Right Away?

Some charges have a set bond amount and a person may be able to bond out before seeing a judge. Other charges, including domestic battery, generally require the person to wait for first appearance. Whether to post bond right away or wait for the hearing depends on the charge and the circumstances, and conditions such as no-contact orders can affect where your friend or family member is able to stay once released.

This is one of the most common questions families ask, and the answer differs case by case. Talking with an attorney before you post bond can help you understand the options. If the case involves a family or household member, our Hillsborough domestic battery page explains more.

What to Have Ready When You Call an Attorney

You don’t need every detail to make the call, but a few pieces of information can help an attorney get started quickly:

• Your family member’s full name and date of birth
• The booking number, if you have it
• The charges listed, if you know them
• Where they work, how long they’ve lived in the area, and their family ties, which can matter when release is discussed

If you don’t have all of this, that’s okay. Call anyway. Attorney Ron Frey can help track down what’s needed.

What Happens After First Appearance

After first appearance, the case generally moves to the State Attorney’s Office, which decides what charges, if any, to formally file. An arraignment is usually scheduled later. Depending on the case, diversion programs exist and some people may qualify. Whether the charge is a DUI, an alleged violation of probation, or something else, the early stages can shape what comes after.

Someone You Love Was Just Arrested? Call Attorney Ron Frey.

Attorney Ron Frey has over two decades of experience defending people accused of crimes in Hillsborough County and throughout Florida. If your family member was arrested overnight, call or text (813) 775-2276 or call toll-free (844) 766-3739 for a free and confidential consultation. Learn more about our Hillsborough County criminal defense work.

This post is general information at the time of this writing and is not legal advice. Laws and local procedures change, so contact an attorney about your specific situation.

What a Search Warrant Generally Is

A search warrant is generally a court order, signed by a judge, that allows law enforcement to search a specific place for specific items. It does not by itself mean that anyone has been charged with a crime. Sometimes an arrest happens during the search, and sometimes no one is arrested at all and the investigation continues afterward.

What Generally Happens During the Search

Officers executing a warrant generally secure the home first, which can mean asking everyone to step outside or stay in one area. They then search for the items listed in the warrant and may take property, such as phones, computers, papers, or other items. People in the home may be asked questions while this happens. As a general matter, Attorney Ron Frey advises that a person in this situation stay calm, not physically interfere with the search, and exercise the right to remain silent until they have spoken with an attorney.

The Paperwork Left Behind

Officers generally leave a copy of the warrant and a list of what was taken, often called an inventory or receipt. It is a good idea to keep both somewhere safe, because they can be important later. If no paperwork was left, or you aren’t sure what you received, Attorney Ron Frey can help you sort that out.

What Can Happen After a Search

After a search, a case can go in different directions. Sometimes charges are filed quickly, sometimes the investigation continues for weeks or months while evidence is reviewed, and sometimes no charges are filed at all. Some searches involve local agencies and others involve federal agents, and the path can look different depending on who is investigating. Not knowing where things stand is often the hardest part, and it’s one of the main reasons people call Attorney Ron Frey after a search.

When Phones and Computers Are Taken

Many searches today focus on phones, computers, and other devices. Reviewing that kind of evidence can take time, so a case involving devices may move slowly at first. Drawing on his experience with many computer and internet cases, Attorney Ron Frey looks closely at how a search was carried out and what the warrant actually allowed. (For more, see our Computer & Internet Crimes page.) You may also find our post on Tampa internet crime charges helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a search warrant mean I’m going to be arrested? Not necessarily. A warrant generally allows a search. It is not a charge, and some searches don’t lead to an arrest.

Can I get my property back? Sometimes, depending on the case and what was taken. An attorney can generally look into whether and how property can be returned.

Should I talk to the detectives to clear things up? As a general matter, Attorney Ron Frey advises speaking with an attorney before making any statement.

What if federal agents did the search? Federal investigations can follow a different path. See our page on the Middle District of Florida.

Talk With Attorney Ron Frey

Attorney Ron Frey has over two decades of experience defending people accused of crimes in Hillsborough County, in courts across Florida, and in federal court. These laws and procedures change often, so it is a good idea to talk with an attorney about the details of your situation. No lawyer can promise a result, but you should understand where you stand before you make decisions. Please call first, at (813) 775-2276 or toll-free (844) 766-3739. The consultation is free and confidential.

This page is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting The Frey Law Firm, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Finding Out Where Someone Is Being Held

Hillsborough County has more than one jail, including the Orient Road Jail and the Falkenburg Road Jail, and where a person is taken can depend on the circumstances. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has an online arrest search, though a new arrest may not appear right away. If you can’t find your friend or family member, or you aren’t sure what the listing means, Attorney Ron Frey can help you find out where they are and what comes next.

Booking

After an arrest, the person is booked into jail. That generally means fingerprints, a photo, a records check, and a listing of the charges. Booking can take several hours. Calls from the jail are generally recorded, so it is usually wise for the person not to discuss the facts of the case on the phone, even with family.

Getting Out Before Seeing a Judge

Depending on the charge, some people may be able to post a set bond and be released before ever seeing a judge. Others, including people arrested on domestic battery charges and certain other offenses, generally have to wait for first appearance. Whether to post bond right away or wait for the judge depends on the case, and it is a good question to ask Attorney Ron Frey as early as possible.

What First Appearance Is, and What It Isn’t

First appearance is generally the person’s first hearing in front of a judge, and it usually happens within 24 hours of arrest. In Hillsborough County it goes by several names, including first appearance, PP Court, and Division O. It is not a trial, and no one decides guilt or innocence there. Generally, the judge reviews whether there was probable cause for the arrest, makes sure the person understands the charges, and addresses bond and release conditions.

Appearing by Video From the Jail

At first appearance in Hillsborough County, the person typically appears by video from the jail, while the defense attorney is in the courtroom with the judge and the prosecutor. That means the attorney is the one standing in front of the judge, speaking about release, bond, and conditions. Attorney Ron Frey often appears at first appearance for people who call before the hearing, so he can speak to the judge directly on their behalf.

Bond and Release Conditions

Generally, the judge at first appearance looks at the charge, the person’s history, their ties to the community, and any safety concerns when setting bond and release conditions. Conditions can include no contact with certain people, staying away from certain places, or check-ins with pretrial services. Once bond is set, it can generally be posted in cash or through a licensed bail bond agent. An attorney can also ask the court later to review bond or change conditions.

What to Have Ready When You Call

It helps to have the person’s full name and date of birth, the booking number if you have it, the charges as listed, and any paperwork from the arrest. Even if you don’t have all of this, call anyway. Attorney Ron Frey can start from whatever you know.

What Comes After First Appearance

After first appearance, the case generally moves to arraignment, where formal charges are addressed and a plea is entered. An attorney can often handle parts of that process for the person. Hillsborough County also has pretrial and diversion programs, and some people may qualify for them depending on the facts of their case. (For more, see our post on Hillsborough pretrial intervention.)

Why Calling an Attorney Before First Appearance Can Matter

First appearance happens fast, often the morning after an arrest. When Attorney Ron Frey is retained before the hearing, he can appear at first appearance and speak on the person’s behalf about release and conditions. As a general matter, he advises anyone who has been arrested or contacted by law enforcement to use the right to remain silent and speak with an attorney before giving any statement. These laws and procedures change often, so the fastest way to get answers for your specific case is to call.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon is first appearance? Generally within 24 hours of arrest, often the next morning.

Can family attend? First appearance is generally open to the public, but the person in custody typically appears by video from the jail.

Will my friend or family member have to enter a plea? Generally, no. First appearance mainly addresses probable cause, bond, and release conditions.

Should we post bond right away? It depends on the case. Call Attorney Ron Frey to talk through the options.

Can bond or conditions be changed later? Generally, an attorney can ask the court to review them after first appearance.

Talk With Attorney Ron Frey

Attorney Ron Frey has over two decades of experience defending people accused of crimes in Hillsborough County, in courts across Florida, and in federal court. No lawyer can promise a result, but you should understand where you stand before you make decisions. Please call or text first, at (813) 775-2276, or call toll-free (844) 766-3739. The consultation is free and confidential.

This page is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting The Frey Law Firm, LLC does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Earlier today, Paul Manafort was ordered detained by a federal judge after his bond was revoked for violating the terms of his pretrial release. Pretrial detention can have a significant impact upon the strategy employed during a case, as well as the ultimate outcome.

One big consideration in a criminal case is whether a defendant will be granted the opportunity to be placed on bail during the pendency of the matter, or whether the defendant will be detained pending trial or resolution. The stress, inconvenience, fear, and uncertainty that naturally accompanies a criminal charge is exponentially amplified for many defendants when they are detained during the pretrial process. This is especially true for first-time offenders.

Although every circumstance is different, detention generally has a negative impact upon both the defendant and the effectiveness of the attorneys involved. Communication between defense counsel and the defendant becomes extremely difficult and challenging. The logistics associated with setting up and scheduling meaningful meetings with a client at the detention facility raises logistical and administrative issues. Meaningful and productive communication with the client becomes much more time consuming and much more costly.

Law Office Versus Jail

Rather than simply meeting within the comfort of the attorney’s office, meetings within the detention facilities can occur only after going through a series of security steps that take up valuable time. Further, depending upon the location of the facility, counsel must travel for the meeting. In cases that are being billed at an hourly rate, this travel and the various security checks that occur upon arrival at the institution can add to significant increased costs.

Rather than meeting within a comfortable law office, meetings within detention centers are often within rooms that are small and cramped with little ventilation, no natural lighting, and with uncomfortable chairs and damaged tables. Often, the privacy is limited as communication often can be heard through the walls. Again, every institution is different, but it is quite common to overhear portions of multiple conversations eminating from various meeting rooms.

Rather than being relaxed within the comfortable atmosphere of a law firm office, where drinks and snacks may be available, defendants who are subject to pretrial detention do not have any such luxuries and, generally speaking, neither do the attorneys. For instance, if you are in a lengthy meeting and want a coffee, you probably will not have any access to anything of the sort. These may seem like minor details, but, the environment definitely has an impact upon the ability to focus for both the attorney and the client.

Experts and Consultants

Experts are often utilized within the criminal justice system. Whether it is a computer forensic expert who is called in to conduct a forensic examination, a firearm expert who is retained to test evidence in a case, or a forensic psychologist who is conducting examinations for purposes of mitigation, experts can play a vital role and they are often notoriously expensive. When a client is detained, the experts and consultants on a case face many of the same logistical challenges that the lawyers face, and often many more. For instance, experts often have equipment or materials that they need to bring into the institution in order to consult with the client or conduct an examination. The experts often are retained and billing at an hourly rate. If it takes them an hour to travel to the institution, thirty minutes to go through security, thirty minutes of waiting while the client is brought in, thirty minutes to exit back through security and another hour of return travel, that time and cost adds up very quickly.

Other Inmates

Pretrial detention is jail and jail is, well, jail. Defendants who are subject to pretrial detention learn very quickly that their freedom has been taken from them. Their ability to simply avoid individuals they would rather not associate with or be around is limited. They do not generally have any say in who they are assigned to live with or around. As a result, those who are detained are often impacted by the fact that they are surrounded by other inmates who they may, or may not, get along with. This adds stress to an already stressful situation.

Family, Friends and Networks of Support

When detained, the Defendant is isolated from family and friends. Although visitation schedules can be approved, there are generally significant limits on who may visit, when they may visit and for how long they can visit. Further, often the visitation is between glass dividers and over the phone. The conversations are often subject to monitoring and recording. In essence, there is generally no privacy. This isolation has an impact upon the defendant who is often going through one of the most stressful times of life.

Employment

If a defendant was employed prior to detention, that employment almost always ceases at the moment of detention. As a result, the detained defendant is not able to earn income. At a time when income may be most needed in order to finance the defense lawyers, the experts and provide for family, this can have a very profound impact upon the direction of the case. Clients who are able to remain on bond and continue with their employment have many advantages. They are in a better position financially and they are in a better position with respect to mitigation. If a case takes two years to resolve, there is a great benefit to the Defendant who can appear at sentencing, or before the court, and demonstrate a commitment to gainful employment and actual gainful employment despite the circumstances of the pending litigation.

Psychological Impact

Whether guilty or innocent, pretrial detention can too often take the fight out of a defendant. They often are left feeling isolated, out of resources, disconnected and hopeless. I suspect that the environment within which they are placed impacts their decision making to a great extent. Again, not all cases or defendants are the same, but I often find that Defendants become anxious to reach a resolution as they await trial in a detention facility. This is especially true when they have served a significant amount of time awaiting trial and may not have much more to go if they accept a plea offer. With respect to the Paul Manafort case, only time will tell as to whether pretrial detention will factor into his decision-making process as to whether he will enter a plea or go to trial, or whether he will choose to attempt to cooperate in some way with the federal investigators.

Be Prepared for the Bond Hearing and Know and Follow the Conditions if Granted Release

It is vitally important to have an attorney on your side and prepared for the bond hearing. Whether or not a defendant is detained or released during the pretrial proceedings can have a significant impact upon the direction of the case. If granted pretrial release, it is important to understand the terms and conditions and to follow them. As demonstrated in the Paul Manafort case, the alternative is the bond being revoked and detention until resolution.

If you or someone you know has a question or issue pertaining to a criminal case or a bond issue, please do not hesitate to contact The Frey Law Firm for a consultation.