A Miami-Dade judge this week denied bond to a 33-year-old man arrested on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, along with drug charges, after a delivery driver was allegedly shot and pistol-whipped at an apartment complex near Dadeland early Monday morning. According to the arrest report, the driver was grazed by a bullet and escaped. The accused has not been convicted, and the charges are allegations.
The case is a clear example of why a bond hearing lawyer matters in Miami.
How bond works in Miami-Dade
After an arrest, a defendant normally appears at a first appearance hearing within 24 hours. A judge reviews the charges, decides whether there is probable cause and considers pretrial release. Florida law generally favors release before trial, but judges can hold a defendant without bond in serious cases.
When deciding on bond, judges look at factors such as:
- the nature and seriousness of the charges
- the strength of the evidence
- the defendant’s ties to the community, such as family, work and length of residence
- criminal history and past court appearances
- any danger to the community or to an alleged victim
Why the first hearing matters
Many families do not realize that a bond decision is not always final. A Miami bond hearing lawyer can file a motion to set or modify bond, present evidence about employment, family and community ties, and propose conditions like GPS monitoring, house arrest or no contact orders. Preparation matters. A well prepared bond hearing can be the difference between fighting your case from home and fighting it from jail.
Serious felony charges, gun crimes and drug crimes make bond harder to obtain, but they do not make it impossible to challenge. A Miami criminal defense lawyer can also review how the evidence was gathered, including searches of a home, because those issues can affect the whole case.
If a family member was arrested and you need a Miami bond hearing lawyer right away, call Albert Quirantes, Esq., at 305-644-1800. Our Miami criminal defense attorneys handle felony cases, gun crime charges, drug crime charges and bond hearings throughout Miami-Dade County.
