Orange County Bond Schedule
What is the Orange County Bond Schedule?
The Orange County Bond Schedule lists the various offenses, their statute number, and the suggested bond schedule for that specific charge. There is a certain sense of consistency within the setting of bonds, or at least that’s the hope. The bond schedule helps to ensure that people are not being treated differently for the same type of case. While it is not a perfect formula, the guidelines do help to ensure somewhat consistent bond results.
- Notable Orange County Bond Schedule amounts: While we cannot discuss every single bondable offense in Florida let’s consider some of the offenses in Florida and what their bond amounts are:
- (a) Aggravated Assault– $1,500
- (b) 1st Degree Arson- $5,000
- (c) Burglary of a Dwelling- $5,000
- (d) Burglary of a Structure- $3,500
- (e) False Imprisonment of a child under 13- $5,000
- (f) Home Invasion without a deadly weapon- $10,000
- (g) Manslaughter- $10,000
- (h) Perjury- $2,500
- (i) 3rd Degree Murder– $5,000
- (j) Strong-Arm Robbery- $5,000
- (k) possession of Controlled Substance- $1,000
- (l) Burglary of a dwelling with an assault therein- NO BOND
- (m) Aggravated Battery– $3,500
Problems with bond schedule
So the problem is that while there is an intent to create uniformity there also tends to be a case-type biased because of the rigidity of the bond schedule. In essence, the very thing that makes the Orange County Bond Schedule helpful, is also what makes it unfair at times. The discretionary component is often removed to some degree. So while there is more consistency if you compare two cases with the same allegation and same set of facts, there tends to be a lack of consistency if a case has a different fact pattern that is less egregious than normal. For example, you break into someone’s home and you commit a battery of a person inside of the Dwelling you will be held without bond. However, is that fair in ALL INSTANCES?
To elaborate consider a person in bed sleeping, a stranger breaks into the house, sneaks through the house and pounces on them in their sleep, attempting to strangle them. Compare that to an argument between two ex friends. The one friend comes over to argue with the other friend. The argument takes place in the doorway of the house. Some heated words are exchanged and one of the ex friends punches his old friend who is standing in the doorway, just barely inside the house. He then leaves. BOTH OF THESE CASES are “Burglary of a Dwelling with a Battery Therein,” yet I think we all know which one is more egregious and what the intent of the legislature was when they created this particular offense. Is it fair that this person is held without bond on a case that more closely resembles a misdemeanor whereas people who are being charged with Manslaughter and Aggravated Battery w/ a weapon go free on much lower bonds?
Using the schedule to your advantage
A good lawyer knows how to show a judge the circumstances of the case at hand, and to argue for a reduced bond not only on the facts, but also on the comparable offenses scattered throughout the orange county bond schedule. By showing similarities and dissimilarities judges tend to be more willing to go along with bond arguments.