Can this page explain my bond or release conditions?

No. It does not interpret bond amounts, release conditions or deadlines. Keep the paperwork exactly as issued and ask a licensed Florida attorney what it means for you.

I am filling this out for a family member who is in custody. Is that okay?

Yes. A family member can submit a criminal-defense request. Describe custody status as you understand it, and include your own contact details so you can be reached.

Where can I look up the case if I do not have the paperwork?

The county clerk of court keeps court records. The verified clerk links on this page cover the counties this site serves.

Florida criminal defense resource

Florida first appearance and bond paperwork: what to keep for intake

Keep every page from booking, first appearance and any bond or release decision, and copy the details exactly as printed: county, booking and case numbers, charges, release conditions and the next court date. Booking paperwork comes from the agency that runs the jail; the court case record is kept by the county clerk. This page shows where each record is kept and what a defense intake request needs. It does not interpret any of it.

Not legal advice. AnswerSignalApp is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page summarizes, in general terms, what the official sources linked below say, and points you to them.

Which office holds which record

Booking and custody records: the agency that runs the county jail, usually named on the booking paperwork.
The court case, including bond and release orders: the clerk of court in the county where the case was filed. Verified clerk links appear below.
Your own statewide criminal history: FDLE, through Personal Review.

What to keep, exactly as printed

The county, and the jail or agency named on the paperwork.
The booking number and any case number shown.
The charge names exactly as printed.
Any release conditions exactly as printed — copy them word for word, do not summarize.
Any next court date, time and courtroom shown.
Current custody status: still held, released, or released with conditions.
Contact details for the person in custody or the family member helping.

For the intake request itself

A criminal-defense request asks for the county, a general description, custody status, any court date, and how to reach you. Keep booking and case numbers in your own records unless a lawyer asks for them. Do not include statements about what happened, and do not type identification numbers into the form.

Where clerk records are kept

Hillsborough County Clerk — Hillsborough County (Tampa)
Pinellas County Clerk — Pinellas County (St. Petersburg, Clearwater)
Miami-Dade Clerk Criminal Search — Miami-Dade County (Miami)
Miami-Dade Clerk Records Information — Miami-Dade County (Miami)
Orange County Clerk Court Records — Orange County (Orlando)
Orange County Clerk my eClerk — Orange County (Orlando)
Duval County Clerk — Official Records and Research — Duval County (Jacksonville)
Broward County Clerk — Records Request — Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)
Palm Beach Clerk eCaseView — Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)
Palm Beach Clerk Official Records — Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)
Lee County Clerk — Copies of Records — Lee County (Fort Myers)
Lee County Clerk — Official Records Copies — Lee County (Fort Myers)
Sarasota Clerk Court Records — Sarasota County (Sarasota)
Sarasota Clerk Courts — Sarasota County (Sarasota)
Polk Records Online — Polk County (Lakeland)

For other counties, use The Florida Bar's directory of courts-related websites. The Florida arrest action checklist covers the wider set of things to keep after an arrest.

What this page does not do

It does not explain what a bond amount or condition means, whether it can be changed, or any deadline. Ask a licensed Florida criminal-defense attorney.

Official sources for this page

Keep sensitive identifiers out of your request

Share only what is needed for an intake review. Please do not submit Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, medical record numbers, insurance member IDs, financial account numbers, passwords, or images of identity documents. If a participating lawyer needs additional detail, they can request it directly through their own secure process.

Already represented by a lawyer?

If you tell us you already have a lawyer for this matter, we do not route the matter to another participating lawyer, and we will not contact your current lawyer for you. Any questions about your current representation belong with your current lawyer.

Editorial note: Sources and limits: the Florida Courts site, The Florida Bar's directory of courts-related websites and the verified county clerk links in this site's city registry. It does not describe first-appearance procedure, bond rules or deadlines. It was compiled internally by AnswerSignalApp from the linked official sources and was not written or reviewed by an attorney. It is not legal advice. Official guidance can change after the review date. Last internally reviewed: October 19, 2026.

Informational guides only — not legal advice.

Florida notice to appear: what to keepCounty, dates, citation number and custody status for intake.
Florida arrest action checklistWhat to keep, what to describe at intake, and what never to write down.
How intake worksThe non-legal factors reviewed — and that it is not case-merit scoring.
All Florida legal resourcesEvery guide, grouped by injury, insurance, criminal, records and lawyer topics.

Want to submit a Florida criminal-defense request?

Requests are reviewed for possible connection to a participating Florida attorney. Not every request results in a connection, and nothing obligates you to hire anyone.

Start a criminal defense requestSubmit your request 24/7

AnswerSignalApp is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Submitting a request does not create an attorney-client relationship, and no lawyer is selected or retained by submitting the form. 24/7 refers to intake submission availability only. A participating lawyer's contact is not guaranteed, is not immediate, and no lawyer is standing by.

First appearance and bond paperwork FAQ

Can this page explain my bond or release conditions?: No. It does not interpret bond amounts, release conditions or deadlines. Keep the paperwork exactly as issued and ask a licensed Florida attorney what it means for you.
I am filling this out for a family member who is in custody. Is that okay?: Yes. A family member can submit a criminal-defense request. Describe custody status as you understand it, and include your own contact details so you can be reached.
Where can I look up the case if I do not have the paperwork?: The county clerk of court keeps court records. The verified clerk links on this page cover the counties this site serves.

Request a defense connection

Intake open 24/7 · Not a law firm · No obligation to hire