RELEASE PROCEDURES
 

Each day, the Release Desk will experience various types of releases. For example, some will bond out with cash while others may use the services of a bondsman. Some may be released because they have served their sentence, been sentenced to probation or released to other counties. There are many other examples of releases and the Sheriff’s Office wants each citizen to understand that every release is equally important to us. We strive to have them completed in a timely manner. Various circumstances cause some releases to require a lengthier process than others. Each release however is processed as it is received.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
 
Q. I don’t know any bondsman, can you recommend one for me?

A. No, the Sheriff’s Office is prohibited, by Florida Statute, from recommending a bondsman. You can find a bondsman listed in the telephone directory or they are posted next to all telephones within the detention facility.

Q. I paid for a bond through a bondsman a long time ago. Why hasn’t the arrested person(s) been released?

A. If you have a question regarding a bond, please contact your bondsman. Many times, we do not receive the bond for several hours. If the bondsman makes an error on the bond, they must make the correction prior to a release taking effect. These are circumstances beyond our control and the Sheriff’s Office is prohibited by Florida Statute to change, alter, or correct the documents.

Q.A bond was paid before the arrestee surrendered. What is taking so long?

A. The same as above applies. In addition, if arrestee turns themselves in on a warrant, they will be processed in and released the same as those arrested under other circumstances. If family or friends bring them to the detention facility it is best if they return home rather than wait in the lobby due to the unpredictability of the release times. The defendant will be able to make a free phone call when they are at the release desk to notify you of their impending release.

Q. The arrestee went to court and the judge released them. What is taking so long?

A. When a judge releases someone from custody, they will be released as soon as the Sheriff’s Office has been properly notified. The Clerk of the Court must put together the proper documentation to affect the release. The documentation must then be delivered to the Booking Unit at the Hernando County Detention Center. There are only two deliveries of court paperwork each day. The morning court paperwork is delivered at approximately 12:00 pm. The afternoon court paperwork arrives at approximately 5:30 pm. Advisory Hearings paperwork varies in time based on how many defendants there are. The releases are then completed as they are received in Booking.

Q. A person was arrested for DUI and has paid the bond. Why have they not been released?

A. State law requires that all persons arrested for DUI / BUI must remain in custody for a minimum of 8 hours from the time of the arrest. You may pay the bond prior to the 8 hours completion, however, they will not be released until 8 hours has elapsed.

Q. What form of payment is accepted for a bond?

A. If you do not use a bonding company, cash is the only form of payment the Hernando County Clerk of Court accepts.

Q. Why are there no releases during certain times of the day? When are those times?

A. The Sheriff’s Office must allow for shift changes and inmate counts. During these crucial periods, no releases can take place. These times are from 5:30 am – 6:30 am, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm and 11:30 pm – 12:30 am. Although no one is actually released during these hours, please understand that the release desk does continue working to prepare releases.

Q. The arrestee already attended the Advisory Hearing and they still can’t bond out, what happens now?

A. When a person is unable to post a bond, they will be dressed into a uniform and housed with the other inmates, according to their particular classification. Information is available on the Inmate Rules and Information Posting located in each housing unit.

Q. Are there any warrants outstanding for the arrestee from other counties? How will I find out if there are any?

A. A warrant check is done on every person entering and leaving the facility, if a person is found to have a possible match we will confirm with the originating county if the warrant is valid. Sometimes this process can take several hours, depending on the county we are attempting to contact. If you are awaiting a release, please be patient with this process.