IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ____ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR ____ COUNTY, FLORIDA

STATE OF FLORIDA, )
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) Case No.: [CASE NUMBER]
)
[DEFENDANT’S FULL LEGAL NAME], )
Defendant. )
_______)

MOTION FOR REDUCTION OF BAIL AND FOR ALTERNATIVE PRETRIAL RELEASE CONDITIONS

[// GUIDANCE: This template is drafted to comply with the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, controlling constitutional provisions, and Fla. Stat. § 903.046. Replace all bracketed text with case-specific information and remove guidance comments before filing.]

I. INTRODUCTION

1. COMES NOW the Defendant, [DEFENDANT’S NAME] (“Defendant”), by and through undersigned counsel, and pursuant to Article I, Section 14 of the Florida Constitution, Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.131, and section 903.046, Florida Statutes, respectfully moves this Honorable Court for an order reducing the current bail amount of $[CURRENT BAIL AMOUNT] to $[REQUESTED BAIL AMOUNT] or imposing non-monetary conditions of release that will reasonably assure the Defendant’s appearance and the safety of the community.

2. This motion is based on the grounds set forth below, the accompanying affidavit(s), and any evidence or argument presented at hearing.

II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY

3. On [DATE], the Defendant was arrested and charged by [Information/Indictment/Complaint] with [LIST OFFENSE(S) AND STATUTORY CITATION(S)], a [FELONY/MISDEMEANOR] offense.

4. At first appearance on [DATE], the Court set bail in the amount of $[CURRENT BAIL AMOUNT] with the following conditions: [LIST CURRENT CONDITIONS, IF ANY].

5. The Defendant has been continuously detained since [DATE] at the [NAME] County Jail due to inability to post the current bail.

III. STATEMENT OF RELEVANT FACTS

6. The Defendant is [AGE] years old and has resided in [COUNTY, STATE] for [NUMBER] years.

7. The Defendant is employed as [JOB TITLE] with [EMPLOYER NAME], earning approximately $[AMOUNT] per [WEEK/MONTH].

8. The Defendant has significant family ties to the community, including [SPOUSE, PARENTS, CHILDREN], who reside at [ADDRESS].

9. The Defendant has [NO / the following] prior criminal convictions: [LIST OR STATE “NONE”], and [HAS / HAS NOT] previously failed to appear for any court proceeding.

10. The Defendant [does / does not] have any history of violence and [is / is not] currently on probation or parole.

[// GUIDANCE: Attach a sworn affidavit from Defendant or a family member corroborating these facts.]

IV. APPLICABLE LAW

11. Bail must be set in an amount that is reasonable and not oppressive, taking into account the totality of circumstances. Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.131(b)(1).

12. In determining (or revisiting) bail, the Court shall consider the criteria enumerated in § 903.046(2), Fla. Stat., including but not limited to:
    a. The nature and circumstances of the offense charged;
    b. The weight of the evidence;
    c. The Defendant’s ties to the community, length of residence, employment history, and financial resources;
    d. The Defendant’s past and present conduct, including any prior criminal record, history of substance abuse, and record of court appearance;
    e. The probability of danger to the community; and
    f. Any other facts the court considers relevant.

13. Pretrial detention is permissible only where the State establishes the statutory criteria set forth in Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.132 and Article I, Section 14 of the Florida Constitution; none of those exceptional circumstances are present here.

V. ARGUMENT

A. Current Bail Is Excessive and Not Tailored to Statutory Factors
14. The present bail of $[CURRENT BAIL AMOUNT] is disproportionate to the Defendant’s financial means and the offense charged. See § 903.046(2)(k), Fla. Stat. (requiring consideration of the source of funds and whether bail is oppressive).

15. The charged offense(s) [is/are] non-violent and carry a maximum penalty of [YEARS] years. The weight of the evidence is [DESCRIBE—e.g., largely circumstantial / based on eyewitness identification subject to challenge].

B. Defendant’s Community Ties and Lack of Flight Risk
16. The Defendant’s long-standing residence, employment, and family obligations in [COUNTY] evidence minimal risk of flight.

17. The Defendant has no history of failures to appear, satisfying § 903.046(2)(d).

C. Reasonable Conditions Can Adequately Protect the Community
18. Non-monetary conditions such as GPS monitoring, weekly reporting to pretrial services, or a curfew will sufficiently mitigate any risk, consistent with § 903.046(2)(j).

19. Courts favor the least restrictive means to ensure appearance and public safety. Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.131(b)(1).

VI. PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE CONDITIONS OF RELEASE

The Defendant proposes any combination of the following, as the Court deems appropriate:

1. Reduction of bail to $[REQUESTED BAIL AMOUNT] cash or [PERCENTAGE]-percent surety bond;
2. Placement on supervised release overseen by [PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY];
3. Electronic GPS monitoring with exclusion zones around [LOCATION(S)];
4. Weekly in-person or telephonic check-ins;
5. Compliance with any no-contact order protecting [ALLEGED VICTIM / WITNESSES];
6. Submission to random drug and alcohol testing;
7. Curfew from [TIME] p.m. to [TIME] a.m.;
8. Surrender of passport and prohibition on new travel outside [COUNTY/STATE].

[// GUIDANCE: Tailor proposed conditions to individual case and local resources. Confirm availability of supervision programs with Pretrial Services.]

VII. CONCLUSION

WHEREFORE, the Defendant respectfully requests that this Court:

A. GRANT this Motion;
B. Reduce the bail from $[CURRENT BAIL AMOUNT] to $[REQUESTED BAIL AMOUNT] or set bail at a reasonable amount in light of the statutory factors;
C. Impose the alternative, non-monetary conditions outlined above; and
D. Grant such further relief as this Court deems just and proper.

Respectfully submitted this ___ day of __, 20_.

VIII. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was furnished by [E-PORTAL / HAND DELIVERY / EMAIL] to [NAME], Assistant State Attorney, Office of the State Attorney, on this ___ day of __, 20_, in compliance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
text
[ATTORNEY SIGNATURE BLOCK]

[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.
Florida Bar No. [NUMBER]
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
Telephone: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]
Attorney for Defendant

PROPOSED ORDER

(To be submitted contemporaneously or as a separate attachment)

text
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE _ JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR _ COUNTY, FLORIDA

STATE OF FLORIDA Case No.: [CASE NUMBER]
v.
[DEFENDANT’S NAME] Division: [DIVISION]

ORDER ON DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR REDUCTION OF BAIL
AND FOR ALTERNATIVE PRETRIAL RELEASE CONDITIONS

THIS CAUSE came before the Court on ___ day of __, 20_, upon the Defendant’s Motion for Reduction of Bail and for Alternative Pretrial Release Conditions. The Court, having reviewed the motion, heard argument of counsel, considered the statutory factors set forth in § 903.046, Florida Statutes, and otherwise being fully advised in the premises, hereby ORDERS AND ADJUDGES:

1. The Motion is GRANTED / GRANTED IN PART / DENIED.
2. Bail is hereby set in the amount of $____.
3. The Defendant shall be released upon posting the above bail and compliance with the following conditions:
   a. _________
   b. _________
   c. ____________
4. All prior inconsistent orders are VACATED to the extent of any conflict.
5. This Order is effective immediately.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at _ County, Florida, this ___ day of ___, 20___.

CIRCUIT JUDGE
[// GUIDANCE: Confirm local judicial preferences for the form of proposed orders and whether a separate “Notice of Hearing” is required. Verify that the clerk’s e-portal docket entry includes both the motion and proposed order.]