Reviewed September 26, 2026
When someone is arrested in Charlotte County, a common first question is: “How much is the bond?” The answer depends on the charge, whether Florida law requires a first appearance before release, and what the judge orders. Charlotte County is part of Florida’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit. The Florida Supreme Court’s 2026 uniform statewide bond schedule supplies the amounts for eligible releases before a first appearance; the circuit also maintains a bond schedules page. A judge is not bound by the statewide schedule when deciding release in an individual case.
2026 bond amounts before first appearance
For an arrest that is eligible for release before seeing a judge, the statewide order lists the following bond for each charge:
| Charge category | Statewide scheduled bond |
|---|---|
| Third-degree felony involving force or a threat of force against a person | $5,000 |
| Third-degree felony without force or a threat of force against a person | $2,500 |
| First-degree misdemeanor involving force or a threat of force against a person | $1,000 |
| First-degree misdemeanor without force or a threat of force against a person, other than DUI or BUI | $500 |
| Second-degree misdemeanor involving force or a threat of force against a person | $250 |
| Second-degree misdemeanor without force or a threat of force against a person, other than DUI or BUI | $150 |
| First-degree misdemeanor DUI or boating under the influence (BUI) | $1,000 |
| Second-degree misdemeanor DUI or BUI, second offense | $750 |
| Second-degree misdemeanor DUI or BUI, first offense | $500 |
The misdemeanor rows also cover an ordinance violation punishable like a misdemeanor of the corresponding degree. These figures come from Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC25-69, effective January 1 through December 31, 2026. They are statewide pre-first-appearance amounts, not a guarantee of release for every arrest in Charlotte County. A circuit chief judge may increase those amounts through a local order. The circuit’s publicly linked bond schedule PDF bears a 2023 date, so readers should confirm current local booking practice with the jail or counsel instead of treating that older document as a 2026 Charlotte County schedule.
Which arrests require a first appearance?
Florida law bars release before first appearance in many cases. These include arrests for a capital or life felony, a first- or second-degree felony, domestic violence, stalking, robbery, burglary, trafficking in a controlled substance, and other offenses identified in section 903.011(6), Florida Statutes. Other circumstances can trigger the same requirement: for example, an arrest for a felony while the person was already on pretrial release, probation, or community control, or an arrest for violating a protective injunction. The 2026 Supreme Court order also identifies dangerous crimes and additional statutory restrictions.
“No bond before first appearance” means the jail cannot simply use a scheduled dollar amount to release the person immediately. It does not, by itself, mean a judge can never order release. The judge must consider the applicable law and the particular case.
Can the judge change the bond?
Yes. The statewide schedule governs qualifying release decisions made before first appearance by police, jail, or pretrial release personnel. It expressly does not bind a judge making a bond decision. At first appearance or a later bond hearing, the court can consider the charges, criminal history, community ties, public safety, and whether conditions can reasonably ensure appearance and protect the community. A lawyer can ask the court to reconsider an unaffordable bond or propose appropriate release conditions. The outcome depends on the facts and any statutory limits.
If an arrest involves multiple charges, the 2026 order says each crime of arrest requires a separate bond. For example, two eligible charges listed at $500 each would ordinarily mean two separate $500 bonds, subject to the actual charging and release decisions. Check the booking record and court orders before relying on an estimated total.
What should a family do after an arrest?
Find out the exact charges and whether the person is being held for first appearance. Confirm the bonds and release conditions on the actual booking or court record; an online schedule alone cannot tell you what a judge has ordered. If the set bond is beyond the family’s means, a criminal defense lawyer can review whether a bond modification request is appropriate. The Charlotte County Clerk of Court and the Twentieth Judicial Circuit provide local court information.
This article provides general information about Florida law as of September 26, 2026. It is not legal advice for a particular case.
