Florida Statute 903.046 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research

The 2024 Florida Statutes

Title XLVII
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND CORRECTIONS

Chapter 903
BAIL

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F.S. 903.046

903.046 Purpose of and criteria for bail determination.—

(1) The purpose of a bail determination in criminal proceedings is to ensure the appearance of the criminal defendant at subsequent proceedings and to protect the community against unreasonable danger from the criminal defendant.

(2) When determining whether to release a defendant on bail or other conditions, and what that bail or those conditions may be, the court shall consider:

(a) The nature and circumstances of the offense charged.

(b) The weight of the evidence against the defendant.

(c) The defendant’s family ties, length of residence in the community, employment history, financial resources, and mental condition.

(d) The defendant’s past and present conduct, including any record of convictions, previous flight to avoid prosecution, or failure to appear at court proceedings. However, any defendant who had failed to appear on the day of any required court proceeding in the case at issue, but who had later voluntarily appeared or surrendered, shall not be eligible for a recognizance bond; and any defendant who failed to appear on the day of any required court proceeding in the case at issue and who was later arrested shall not be eligible for a recognizance bond or for any form of bond which does not require a monetary undertaking or commitment equal to or greater than $2,000 or twice the value of the monetary commitment or undertaking of the original bond, whichever is greater. Notwithstanding anything in this section, the court has discretion in determining conditions of release if the defendant proves circumstances beyond his or her control for the failure to appear. This section may not be construed as imposing additional duties or obligations on a governmental entity related to monetary bonds.

(e) The nature and probability of danger which the defendant’s release poses to the community.

(f) The source of funds used to post bail or procure an appearance bond, particularly whether the proffered funds, real property, property, or any proposed collateral or bond premium may be linked to or derived from the crime alleged to have been committed or from any other criminal or illicit activities. The burden of establishing the noninvolvement in or nonderivation from criminal or other illicit activity of such proffered funds, real property, property, or any proposed collateral or bond premium falls upon the defendant or other person proffering them to obtain the defendant’s release.

(g) Whether the defendant is already on release pending resolution of another criminal proceeding or on probation, parole, or other release pending completion of a sentence.

(h) The street value of any drug or controlled substance connected to or involved in the criminal charge. It is the finding and intent of the Legislature that crimes involving drugs and other controlled substances are of serious social concern, that the flight of defendants to avoid prosecution is of similar serious social concern, and that frequently such defendants are able to post monetary bail using the proceeds of their unlawful enterprises to defeat the social utility of pretrial bail. Therefore, the courts should carefully consider the utility and necessity of substantial bail in relation to the street value of the drugs or controlled substances involved.

(i) The nature and probability of intimidation and danger to victims.

(j) Whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed a new crime while on pretrial release.

(k) Any other facts that the court considers relevant.

(l) Whether the crime charged is a violation of chapter 874 or alleged to be subject to enhanced punishment under chapter 874 or reclassification under s. 843.22. If any such violation is charged against a defendant or if the defendant is charged with a crime that is alleged to be subject to such enhancement or reclassification, he or she is not eligible for release on bail or surety bond until the first appearance on the case in order to ensure the full participation of the prosecutor and the protection of the public.

(m) Whether the defendant, other than a defendant whose only criminal charge is a misdemeanor offense under chapter 316, is required to register as a sexual offender under s. 943.0435 or a sexual predator under s. 775.21; and, if so, he or she is not eligible for release on bail or surety bond until the first appearance on the case in order to ensure the full participation of the prosecutor and the protection of the public.

History.—s. 41, ch. 82-175; s. 42, ch. 84-103; s. 4, ch. 86-151; s. 1476, ch. 97-102; s. 1, ch. 2000-178; s. 18, ch. 2008-238; s. 1, ch. 2013-214; s. 2, ch. 2014-201; s. 48, ch. 2016-24; s. 19, ch. 2021-156.

F.S. 903.046 on Google Scholar

F.S. 903.046 on Casetext

Amendments to 903.046

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 903.046

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 903.046.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 903.046

Total Results: 20

Tom Roy Jenkins v. State of Florida

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2024-12-02

Snippet: posts bail or an appearance bond in cash, section 903.046(2), Florida Statutes (2024), authorizes the court

ALBERT ARMSTRONG v. STATE OF FLORIDA AND GRADY JUDD, SHERIFF OF POLK COUNTY

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2024-08-26

Snippet: behavior, consideration of the criteria in s. 903.046, and any other relevant facts, that no conditions

Dominguez v. Cloutier

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2024-01-31

Snippet: pretrial release determinations. See §§ 907.041, 903.046, Fla. Stat.; Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.131, 3.132. For

JOSE ALCAZAR v. THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2022-10-14

Snippet: patterns of behavior, the criteria in s. 903.046, and any other relevant facts, that any of

MICHAEL ARSLANIAN v. DANIEL JUNIOR, etc.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2022-02-16

Snippet: financial resources, and mental condition.” § 903.046(2)(c), Fla. Stat. (2021); see also Fla. R. Crim

RICARDO JACINTO DIAZ v. DANIEL JUNIOR, etc.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2021-11-03

Snippet: setting conditions for pretrial release. See § 903.046, Fla. Stat. (2021); Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.131(b)(3)

BRIAN HODGES v. THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2021-09-29

Snippet: patterns of behavior, the criteria in s. 903.046, and any other relevant facts, that any of

ALEX GARCIA v. DANIEL JUNIOR, etc.

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2021-07-14

Snippet: present patterns of behavior, the criteria in s. 903.046, and any other relevant facts, that any of the

Thourtman v. Junior

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2019-06-12

Citation: 275 So. 3d 726

Snippet: injunction for protection of vulnerable adult); § 903.046, Fla. Stat. (sexual offender); § 947.141, Fla.

Thourtman v. Junior

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2019-06-12

Citation: 275 So. 3d 726

Snippet: injunction for protection of vulnerable adult); § 903.046, Fla. Stat. (sexual offender); § 947.141, Fla.

Pearson v. Rambosk

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-10-12

Citation: 255 So. 3d 826

Snippet: consideration to the factors set out in section 903.046, Florida Statutes (2018). The parties may be given

SNICESON FLEURY v. STATE OF FLORIDA

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-07-25

Citation: 254 So. 3d 975

Snippet: release factors if his motion was granted. See § 903.046(2), Fla. Stat. (2018) (setting out factors that

Sardinas v. Junior

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-07-12

Citation: 252 So. 3d 295

Snippet: behavior, the criteria in s. 903.046, and any other relevant facts

Snell v. Junior

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-07-05

Citation: 251 So. 3d 273

Snippet: not derived from illicit activities). See also § 903.046, Fla. Stat. (2000)”).

Aglio v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-06-27

Citation: 246 So. 3d 571

Snippet: Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.131 and sections 903.046-.047, Florida Statutes (2018). This opinion shall

Dameon T. Moore v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-05-21

Citation: 247 So. 3d 672

Snippet: Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and section 903.046(2) of the Florida Statutes (2017) are helpful in

Lonzo L. Sparrow, Jr. v. State

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-03-05

Citation: 240 So. 3d 841

Snippet: used by a defendant to post bail. Id.; see also § 903.046(2)(f), Fla. Stat. (2018) (authorizing a court

MARCOS CASIANO v. MICHAEL SCOTT, SHERIFF

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2018-02-14

Citation: 241 So. 3d 219

Snippet: rule, along with statutory sections 907.041 and 903.046, Florida Statutes (2016), effectuate the constitutional

Matias v. Junior

Court: Florida Third District Court of Appeal | Date Filed: 2017-12-08

Citation: 245 So. 3d 733

Snippet: pretrial release pursuant to sections 907.041 and 903.046, Fla. Stat. (2017). The trial court shall conduct

State v. Dixon and Matienzo

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida | Date Filed: 2017-04-26

Citation: 217 So. 3d 1115, 2017 WL 1494001, 2017 Fla. App. LEXIS 6003

Snippet: a defendant on bail or other conditions, see § 903.046, Fla. Stat. (2016), the trial judge sua sponte