How to Get Someone Out of Jail in Florida

If you're reading this, someone you love is probably in jail right now. Take a breath. This is fixable, and it usually moves faster than people expect. Here's exactly how it works — the same walk-through I give every family who calls me.

The short version

1. Find out where they are and what the bond is. If you don't know, call me — I can look it up.
2. Call or text SheaBails. I'll explain the bond amount, the cost, and your options in plain English.
3. We do the paperwork by phone or online. You never have to come to an office.
4. You pay the premium — in Florida it's 10% of the bond amount, set by state law.
5. I post the bond at the jail and the release process begins. Release usually takes a few hours after posting, depending on the jail.

Step by step: what actually happens after an arrest

Booking. After an arrest, the person is taken to the county jail, fingerprinted, photographed, and entered into the system. This can take a few hours. No bond can be posted until booking is complete and a bond amount is set.

The bond amount. For many charges, the bond follows a standard schedule set by the court. For others, the person sees a judge at “first appearance” — usually within 24 hours of arrest — and the judge sets or adjusts the bond there. Some charges carry no bond until a judge reviews them. If you're not sure which situation you're in, call me and I'll tell you.

Posting the bond. You have two ways to get someone out:

• Cash bail: pay the full bond amount to the jail yourself. You get it back at the end of the case (minus court costs and fees) if the person makes every court date — but that ties up the entire amount, often thousands of dollars, for months.
• A bail bond: a licensed agent like me posts the full amount for you. You pay a premium of 10% of the bond (set by Florida law) — for example, $1,000 on a $10,000 bond. The premium is the fee for the service and is not refunded. Most families choose this because it frees up their money and I handle the jail and the paperwork.

Release. Once the bond is posted, the jail processes the release. A few hours is common, but it depends on how busy the jail is — I don't control that part, and any agent who promises you an exact time isn't being straight with you.

What I need from you

If you have it: your loved one's full name, date of birth, the county or jail, and the charges. If you don't have all of that, call anyway — figuring it out is part of my job.

If you're signing for someone (as what's called the indemnitor or co-signer), you're guaranteeing the person will go to their court dates. I'll explain exactly what that means before you sign anything. The bond amount, charges, and bond details are my side of the paperwork — I'll walk you through your part one item at a time.

What it costs

• Premium: 10% of the bond amount, set by Florida law. Same at every licensed agency — anyone advertising a discount premium is breaking the law.
• Payment plans: available in many situations. Ask me and I'll tell you honestly what I can do.
• Collateral: on larger bonds, collateral is sometimes required to secure the bond. If it applies to your situation, I'll tell you up front — no surprises later.

After they get out

Getting out is step one. Staying out means:

• Show up to every court date. Missing one can mean the bond is forfeited and a warrant issues. If something goes wrong — a date is missed, a notice doesn't arrive — call me immediately. Problems handled fast are usually fixable.
• Follow the judge's conditions (things like no-contact orders or travel limits).
• Stay in touch with me. I'll help you keep track of dates and paperwork.

Special situations

• Out-of-county or out-of-area arrests: If your loved one is jailed in a different Florida county, I coordinate a transfer bond with a local agent there. One call to me handles it — including Broward County, (954) 391-1740.
• Warrants: If there's an outstanding warrant, call before anyone turns themselves in. I can explain the options and the fastest path.
• No bond (yet): Some arrests show “no bond” until first appearance. That usually changes within 24 hours. I'll monitor it and tell you the moment a bond is set.

Counties I serve most

St. Johns County (St. Augustine — home base, St. Johns County Jail on Lewis Speedway), Duval County (Jacksonville), Putnam County (Palatka), Flagler County (Palm Coast / Bunnell), Volusia County (Daytona Beach), and Broward County (Fort Lauderdale) — and I'm licensed in all 67 Florida counties, with transfer bonds statewide.

Questions families ask me

How fast can you get someone out?
I start the moment you call, 24/7. Once the bond is posted, the jail's release process usually takes a few hours, depending on the jail.

Do I have to come to your office?
No. Paperwork can be done by phone or online, and payment handled electronically. If you'd rather meet in person, my office is at 190 Registry Blvd, Suite 105, St. Augustine, FL 32092.

Can I get someone out if I live in another state?
Yes. Almost everything can be handled by phone and online — that's exactly what transfer bonds are for.

What if I can't afford the full premium today?
Call me anyway. Payment options exist for many situations, and I'll be straight with you about what I can and can't do.

What happens if they miss court?
The court can forfeit the bond and issue a warrant. If it happens, call me immediately — the sooner I know, the more can usually be done to fix it.

Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. What you share with me stays with me.

Need help right now?

Call or text (904) 417-8196 — anytime, day or night. You'll speak directly with me, Shea Candella, owner and licensed bail agent at SheaBails LLC. No judgment. No call center. Just help.