Jacksonville Criminal Lawyer Blog
We often get calls from frantic family members asking how we can help if their loved one was just arrested. There are several ways a criminal defense lawyer can help. For example, the criminal defense attorney can challenge whether there is probable cause in the case. But the biggest area that affects you is when a criminal defense attorney can help get a lower bond on the case. First Appearance Court can often be a cattle call. Each person who has been arrested is only given a few short minutes to plead for a low bond to the judge. Oftentimes, the judge has already reviewed all of the police reports and has decided on a bond before you ever get before the judge. But an experienced criminal defense attorney can utilize beneficial factors to often change a judges mind. Here’s how:
What will happen when my loved one goes before the judge?
Here in Duval county, there are two First Appearance court sessions everyday. One at 9:00 am and one at 1:00 pm. Court will often start later than those times depending on how many people were arrested. If you are arrested, you are entitled to go before a judge within 24 hours. So, if you are arrested at night, you will probably go before the judge at 1:00 pm the next day. If you are arrested in the morning or during the day, you will probably go before the judge the next morning.