Adam Rossen is the CEO and Founding Attorney of Rossen Law Firm, a renowned criminal defense practice serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. With nearly two decades of experience and a background as a former prosecutor, Adam has built a powerhouse legal team dedicated to defending good people facing challenging situations. Under his leadership, Rossen Law Firm has grown from a solo practice to a six-attorney firm with over 20 employees, earning recognition as one of the fastest-growing law firms in the U.S.
If someone you love was just arrested in Broward County, you’re scared, you’re confused, and you want straight answers fast. This article explains First Appearance Court (sometimes called a bond hearing) in simple terms, so you know what to expect and how we can help.
What is First Appearance Court?
Florida law says every person who’s arrested must see a judge within 24 hours. In Broward County (the 17th Judicial Circuit), we have a special First Appearance Division to make that happen every single day, even weekends and holidays.
This is not a trial. The judge does three main things:
- Checks if the arrest has probable cause (a legal reason to hold someone).
- Decides release: bond amount, ROR (release without paying money), or Pretrial Services (supervision instead of cash bond).
- Sets no-contact orders or other conditions (like no alcohol or GPS).
The judge can also handle early probation issues if the person is in the Broward Sheriff’s custody and has picked up a new Broward charge.
When does First Appearance happen?
Approximate start times in Broward:
- Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday–Sunday & court holidays: 8:30 a.m. only
If booking is done by 4:00 a.m., the case should go on the 8:30 a.m. docket. If booking finishes by 9:00 a.m., it should go on the afternoon docket.
DUI arrests get a little extra booking time because officers must offer breath, blood, or urine testing. Those must be transported and booked within three hours (most other arrests: within two hours).
Can I watch First Appearance online?
Yes. First Appearance and bond hearings are live-streamed in Broward and across Florida.
- Statewide portal: courtrooms.flcourts.gov
- Many hearings are also archived so you can watch later.
Where does it take place?
Hearings happen at the Broward County Courthouse: 201 S.E. 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Most people appear by video from jail. The judge, prosecutors, public defenders, and Pretrial Services all connect in real time.
Who is in the courtroom?
- Judge (First Appearance Judge)
- Clerk of Court
- State Attorney (prosecutor)
- Public Defender (if the person qualifies)
- Sheriff’s deputies / Bailiff
- Pretrial Services (does risk assessments and release recommendations)
- Interpreter (Spanish and Creole on call Monday–Friday; others as needed)
- Defense attorney (that’s where we come in)
If an interpreter is required and not available, the judge can keep the person held for probable cause and reset to the next business day so the right interpreter is present.
Why having a Criminal Defense Lawyer at First Appearance matters
What happens in this short hearing can change the whole case. Our job is to:
- Push for lower bond or ROR
- Ask for fair release conditions (no GPS or alcohol monitor unless truly necessary)
- Explain your story and ties to the community
- Correct errors in the paperwork or risk score
- Protect your rights from day one
We appear at First Appearance every week. We know the process, the players, and how to move fast.
What paperwork does the judge review?
For each person in custody, the court sees:
- Booking slip
- Probable Cause Affidavit (why police say they arrested you)
- Pretrial Services report (risk and recommendations)
- Criminal history (NCIC/FCIC run)
- Indigency application (to see if you qualify for the Public Defender)
- A court order the judge completes to record decisions
The Clerk shares the key documents with the State Attorney, Public Defender, and Pretrial Services. A printed list of the docket is prepared for each session.
Special Rules & Situations
Juveniles
Minors don’t usually go to First Appearance (except on weekends/holidays). They attend separate juvenile detention hearings during the week, unless they’re being charged as adults. If a minor is charged with a misdemeanor criminal traffic offense, the law may require that they be treated as an adult.
Capital or Life-Felony charges
If the arrest is for a capital offense or a PBL (punishable by life), the First Appearance Judge only checks probable cause. No bond is set at that time. A later hearing (often called an Arthur hearing) happens before the division judge to decide if any release is possible.
“Second hearing” safety net
If someone is still in jail five days after First Appearance on a misdemeanor or city ordinance case (even though the judge granted bond), the court sets a second hearing on the next business afternoon docket to see what’s going on and whether adjustments are needed.
Probation cases
- Misdemeanor VOP (violation of probation): The person gets an initial VOP hearing and then a status conference within five business days before the division judge.
- Felony VOP: At First Appearance, the Clerk tells the person when to see the division judge for the first VOP hearing.
Extradition & capias/warrants
If someone is held on an extradition warrant, the Sheriff provides a separate docket for that. If the person is held on a capias (court warrant), the judge will send the case to the next division docket.
Civil detentions & “all other” holds
For civil writs or non-criminal detentions, the Sheriff must notify the right division and the Chief Judge so the person can be brought before a judge as the rules require.
How does Pretrial Services decide what to recommend?
A Pretrial officer interviews most people (not those with capital or life-felony charges). They consider:
- Criminal history and any FTAs (failures to appear)
- Community ties (job, family, home, school)
- Risk to the community and risk of flight
They give the judge a recommendation: ROR, bond, Pretrial supervision, no bond (for detention), or a mix of conditions.
Can cities send their own lawyers?
If a county or city prosecutes ordinance violations (not state crimes), they must have a prosecutor present at set First Appearance times. If the city hasn’t made a deal with the Public Defender to represent ordinance cases, the city must also have an attorney available for indigent defendants at those sessions. (That’s all spelled out in the local administrative orders and statutes.)
How we help families
When families call us in the middle of the night, we move quickly:
- We check the jail and booking status
- We prepare for the next docket (morning or afternoon)
- We speak for your loved one so the judge hears more than a police report
- We ask for a reasonable bond or ROR and fair conditions
- If needed, we follow up with bond reduction motions
Our goal is simple: get your loved one out safely and quickly and protect the case from the start.
Quick FAQ
How soon will my loved one see a judge?
Within 24 hours of arrest.
Can I watch the hearing?
Yes. Use courtrooms.flcourts.gov for statewide streams. Broward often streams on
Do we need a lawyer for First Appearance?
You should have one; it can make a big difference in bond, conditions, and speed of release.
What if it’s a DUI?
Booking can take a bit longer (tests must be offered). Transport and booking should still be within three hours, and First Appearance must still happen within 24 hours.
First Appearance moves fast, and it matters. I’ve built my career helping good people in bad moments, and it starts here. If your loved one was just arrested in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Broward County, call us now. We’ll jump in, appear at First Appearance, and fight for the lowest bond and the fairest release possible.