Q. I don’t know any bondsmen, 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
the telephones within the Detention Center.
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.
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 and payments thru GovPayNet are accepted
by the Hernando County Clerk of Court. GovPayNet accepts the major credit, debit and prepaid debit
cards or any combination, which makes it easy for consumers to make their payments and pay on behalf
of friends and family in just minutes from anywhere. Friends and Families that would like to make
payments online go to www.govpaynow.com. The GovPayNet online process is easy and allows cardholders
to pay from anywhere they can log onto the Internet, including the comfort of their own homes. Friends
and Families that would like to make payments by phone dial toll-free 1-888-604-7888.
Cash bonds may also be made in the lobby of the Hernando County Detention Center. The exact cash amount per bond must be provided.
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. |
