Bail Bonds in Miami, Florida
Someone arrested in Miami-Dade County gets booked at TGK Correctional Center. We connect you with a licensed bondsman who knows that facility inside and out.
Where Do People Go After Arrest in Miami?
Every arrest in Miami-Dade County funnels through one facility: the Turner Guilford Knight (TGK) Correctional Center at 7000 NW 41st Street, Miami, FL 33166. TGK is the central intake and processing hub for Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation. It does not matter if the arrest happened in Coral Gables, Kendall, Doral, or downtown Miami; the booking happens at TGK.
Once at TGK, the person goes through a multi-step intake process: identity verification, fingerprinting, mugshot photography, a medical and mental health screening, personal property inventory, and charge entry into the county system. This process alone can take several hours depending on how busy intake is that night.
Call this number to confirm whether someone has been booked. You can also use the Miami-Dade Inmate Search portal, but be aware that it can take 4 to 6 hours after arrest before a person appears in the system.
Miami-Dade Pre-First Appearance Bond Schedule
Miami-Dade County follows the Uniform Statewide Bond Schedule for pre-hearing releases. These are the amounts a booking officer can use to release someone before they see a judge. Once the defendant appears at first appearance (within 24 hours of arrest), the judge has full authority to change these numbers.
| Offense Level | Force/Threat Involved | Pre-Hearing Bond | You Pay (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-Degree Felony | Yes | $5,000 | $500 |
| Third-Degree Felony | No | $2,500 | $250 |
| First-Degree Misdemeanor | Yes | $1,000 | $100 |
| First-Degree Misdemeanor | No (non-DUI) | $500 | $50 |
| Second-Degree Misdemeanor | Yes | $250 | $25 |
| Second-Degree Misdemeanor | No | $150 | $15 |
| Capital / Life Felony | Any | No Bond | Requires Arthur Hearing |
How to Post Bail at TGK
There are two ways to post bail at the Turner Guilford Knight facility, and the method you choose depends on what you can afford and when the arrest happened:
- Cash bond (full amount) — You pay the entire bail amount directly. At TGK, cash bonds are processed through the Touch-Pay kiosk system. You will need the exact booking number. The full amount is returned (minus court costs) when the case closes, assuming the defendant makes all court appearances.
- Surety bond through a bail bondsman (10%) — You pay 10% of the bail to a licensed bail bond agent, and the agent posts the full amount with the court. This is the most common method because most families cannot cover the full bail in cash. The 10% premium is non-refundable. Call (941) 477-6888 and we will connect you with a licensed Miami-Dade bondsman who can start the process immediately.
After-hours arrests (nights, weekends, holidays) essentially require a bail bondsman. The Clerk of Court office at TGK is not staffed around the clock for cash bond processing, but bail bond agents work 24/7.
First Appearance and Arthur Hearings in the 11th Circuit
Miami-Dade County operates under the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Under Florida law, every arrested person must be brought before a judge within 24 hours. In Miami-Dade, these first appearance hearings are conducted via video link between the courtroom and TGK.
At first appearance, the judge does four things: confirms the charges, verifies probable cause, advises the defendant of their rights, and sets (or adjusts) the bond. If you have already posted bail using the pre-hearing schedule, you may not need to attend this hearing at all. But if the judge raises the bond, you will need to post the difference.
What is an Arthur Hearing?
For non-bondable charges (capital felonies and life felonies), there is no automatic right to bail. The defense must request a special proceeding called an Arthur hearing, named after State v. Arthur. This is essentially a mini-trial. The prosecution must show that "proof of guilt is evident and the presumption great." If they cannot meet that standard, the judge grants bail.
Arthur hearings in Miami-Dade must be formally requested through the assigned judge's Judicial Assistant. This is not something a bail bondsman handles; you need a criminal defense attorney. But once bail is granted after an Arthur hearing, a bondsman can post it immediately.
Release Times at TGK
This is where Miami-Dade differs significantly from smaller counties. TGK processes one of the highest volumes of arrests in Florida. After bail is posted, expect 8 to 12 hours before the person walks out. On busy nights (Friday, Saturday, holidays, large events), it can stretch longer.
The bail bond itself takes minutes to arrange. What takes time is the jail's internal processing: verifying the bond paperwork, running final warrants checks, processing the release through the system, and physically moving the person from their housing unit to the release area. There is nothing a bondsman or attorney can do to speed up this part.
Miami-Dade County Jail and Court Resources
Nearby Cities in Miami-Dade County
All arrests in these cities are processed through the county jail. The booking and bail process described above applies to every one of them.
Florida Bail Bond Laws That Protect You
Florida Statute 903 governs bail bonds statewide, and the 11th Circuit enforces these protections strictly. Key protections for anyone posting bail in Miami-Dade:
- 10% maximum premium — No licensed agent can charge more than 10% of the bond amount (F.S. 648.44). If anyone quotes you a higher rate, they are either unlicensed or breaking the law.
- Written contract required — You must receive a copy of all bond paperwork before paying. Read it. It outlines your obligations as the indemnitor (the person financially responsible if the defendant skips court).
- Collateral return within 21 days — If you put up property or other collateral, it must be returned within 21 days of the bond being discharged (F.S. 648.442).
- Right to file complaints — Report any agent misconduct to the Florida Department of Financial Services at 1-877-693-5236.
Someone Arrested in Miami?
A licensed Miami-Dade bail bondsman who knows TGK is standing by right now.