When
someone is arrested in Daytona Beach or Volusia County they will be taken to
the Volusia County Branch Jail. When taken to jail a few different things can
happen. The accused can be bonded out by posting a cash bond, the accused can
be bonded out by a bondsman or the accused can stay in custody until first
appearance. At first appearance the accused can be released on their own
recognizance, released on their own recognizance with conditions of
pre-trial release or required to post a bond to be released. In some cases
(punishable by life) the accused can be held without bond. After the first
appearance the next court date is arraignment. If a private attorney is
retained the arraignment will be waived and the accused will not have to
appear. At arraignment the accused enters an initial plea and is informed of
the charges they are accused of committing. After the arraignment the case will
be set on a pre-trial docket. The pre-trial basically sets the status of the
case for that month. It can be continued, set for a plea, set for a motion or
set for trial. Some cases might have one pre-trial and other cases could have
many more depending on the complexity of the case and issues involved. Most
cases have 2-4 pre-trials before being resolved or set for trial. If the case
is set for a plea date it will usually be resolved on the Friday before jury
selection. If the case is set for trial the accused will be required to pick a
jury a Monday and the trial will be set for another date during the trial
period. If you are accused of a crime in Daytona Beach contact Kevin J. Pitts.
Mr. Pitts handles DUI, traffic and misdemeanor cases.
