The Town
The Florida Keys in Monroe County, Florida attracts up to five million visitors a year from all over the world. A good portion of these tourists end up in Key West which is known for its care free, island lifestyle, and the world-famous downtown party zone “Duval Street”. Duval Street is just over a mile long, runs north to south, and houses the largest collection of eateries, saloons, and niche stores in town. A small portion of those visitors may end up needing the services of a Key West Bail Bondsman.
Although Key West, Florida is well known as a party town that does not mean it is free of laws or law enforcement. The Key West Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation are just a few of the active law enforcement agencies in town. Locally, law enforcement is supported and proactive in nature. Unfortunately, sometimes people make mistakes and situations occur where some is placed under arrest.
After Arrest
When someone is arrested within Key West, they will be transported to the Monroe County Jail Key West Facility for processing. The Monroe County Key West Jail is located at 5501 College Road, Key West, Florida, 33040.
Once the arrestee arrives at the Monroe County Key West Jail, it will usually take several hours for the arrestee’s charges and bond amount to become available. This delay is because that information is not accessible until after the arresting Key West Police Officer or Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy finishes writing the arrest affidavit. The arrest affidavit contains the narrative of the probable cause for arrest and list of charges.
There are several different kinds of arrests with a few being a bench warrant, a capias, a probable cause arrest, and a writ.
If an arrestee is in custody on a warrant arrest which includes Violation of Probation, Failure to Appear, Violation of Pre-trial Services, etc. their bond will already be set and they will be able to bond out at that time unless it was set as No Bond Allowed by a Key West judge.
If the inmate of the Key West Jail is being charged with any Probable Cause Felony arrest and most misdemeanors, they will not have a bond right away. They will first have to attend a first appearance hearing with a Monroe County, Key West Judge. There is a first appearance hearing scheduled every day of the week and all year round. There is only one first appearance hearing each day. If you are arrested too late in the day, and miss that days hearing you will be required to spend the night inside of the Key West Jail and attend first appearance the next day.
During the hearing the Key West Judge will review the arrest affidavit and decide if there is probable cause for the arrest. If the Key West Judge decides there is probable cause for the arrest, he will then decide to set cash or surety bond (secured) for each charge or grant the arrestee Pre-trial release (release without secured bond). The arrestee will then be provided an arraignment date to return to court at a later date.
If the judge decides there is not sufficient probable cause for the arrest, they may in essence drop the charge on the spot.
If the arrestee was given Pre-Trial Release, they will be released from the Key West Jail, usually within a few hours.
Bonding Out
If the Key West Judge gave the arrestee a $5,000 Bond (just for example). You then have two options, Cash, or Surety.
Cash – You will go directly to the Jail with $5,000 in cash and secure the arrestee release. If you do not wish to post cash at the Jail you can call (305)451-2593.
We will provide you with a Key West Jail Surety bail bond. A Bail Bond can only be provided by a licensed Florida Bail Bondsman. A licensed Florida Bail Bonds will charge you a 10% of the total amount of the bond, with a minimum of $100 per charge plus security for the total amount of the bond. The security may be as simple as a co-signer signature depending on the specific situation.
We will then secure the release of the inmate by providing the total bond to the Key West Jail. The arrestee will then be released from the Key West Jail within hours. After being released from the Key West Jail, the arrestee must attend all court hearings, or have an attorney appear, until the case is completed.
How to Pick the Best Jail Bondsman in Key West
Whether its tourists having too much fun on Duval Street or residents who’ve run afoul of the law, anyone imprisoned in Key West will want to be free as soon as possible.
Fortunately, Key West offers bail bond agents willing to help you get out of jail.
Tips for Choosing a Bondsman in Key West
Choosing the best bondsman can be tricky. First, you want to make sure the bondsman has a good reputation and will provide you with the best service and results. When picking a bond provider, you should ask the following questions:
- How long will they take to get your loved one out of jail?
- Are they local, or will they be driving from Miami-Dade or Broward County to post the bond?
- Are you being charged any additional fees besides the 10% fee?
- Is their bail bonds office located in Monroe County?
- Are they licensed by the State of Florida?
What Are Some Things to Avoid When Choosing Your Bondsman?
Don’t just settle on a company without knowing the facts. If you don’t feel sure a bail bondsman is right for you, walk away. Don’t let the pressure of the situation force you into making the wrong decision. Avoid any bail bond service which:
- Offers a discounted price below the state mandated 10% fee. This is illegal, and speaks on the character of the bonding company.
- Is unreachable 24/7
- Cannot answer all your questions
- Has no physical location
- Has no website
Although there are many reputable bail bondsmen, choosing the right one is crucial as it can save you money and help you avoid jail time. You want a bail bondsman who has the expertise, is established and understands the Monroe County criminal justice system.
No one else can get your loved one out faster than us or knows more about the arrest and release process in Monroe County which is why we have been in business since 1989.
Call us 24/7 at (305)451-2593 for a free bail bonding consultation.
