The short answer is you go to jail and you want to get bonded out as quickly as possible!  In very rare and minor cases an officer does have the discretion to give you a Promise to Appear (“PTA”), but don’t get your hopes up.  In most cases, you will be taken to the Pre-Trial Detention Center after your arrest and trust me you will want out ASAP!

How can you bond out as quickly as possible?  Contact your Miami criminal defense attorney the moment you’re confronted with a law enforcement officer — (on a side note, remember your right to remain silent, often times telling your side of the story doesn’t benefit you at this point) – Once you make contact with your attorney let him know where you are, what you’re being investigated for, and provide the attorney with contact information of a family member or friend who is willing and able to post the bond for you.  The attorney will be able to coordinate a meeting between the person bonding you out and a reputable bondsman.

Most of the time the bondsman will be able to post your bond right away and you will be able to leave once the booking process is complete; however, there are certain arrests, such as a Domestic Violence Battery arrest, that requires you to be held in custody for a 24 hour cooling off period and for more serious charges you can be held No Bond. Just because a person is being held No Bond does not mean they cannot get out.  Your Miami criminal defense attorney can request an Arthur Hearing and petition the court for a discretionary bond.

What is the booking process?  It’s an official record of your arrest.  The task of administratively processing you into the jail is called “booking.”  Continue reading →