After an Arrest in Brevard County: First Appearance and Bond
By Chad M. Seibel, former prosecutor · Last reviewed October 2026
Someone you know was just arrested in Brevard County. Here is how the first steps work, from the jail to the first court hearing, with links to the official sources.
This page explains the public court process. It is general information, not legal advice about a specific case. Times, bond amounts and procedures can change, so check the official links on this page or call a lawyer for the current rules.
Where Do People Arrested in Brevard Go?
People arrested anywhere in Brevard County, from Titusville to Palm Bay, are booked into the Brevard County Jail Complex, 860 Camp Road, Cocoa, FL 32927. The jail is run by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
To find out whether someone is there, what they are charged with and whether a bond has been set, search by name in the Sheriff's inmate search, or call the jail at 321-690-1500.
Not everyone is taken to jail. For many lower-level offenses, officers may release a person with a notice to appear, a written promise to come to court on a set date. Even after someone is taken to the jail, a booking officer may still issue a notice to appear after weighing things like where the person lives, family ties, work, and past court appearance history.
A notice to appear is a court date, not a warning. Missing a court date can lead to a warrant for arrest. Signing up for court-date reminders (see below) may help.
What Is First Appearance?
First appearance (Brevard's orders call it an "initial appearance") is a short hearing in front of a judge, held within 24 hours of arrest. Florida's rules require that every arrested person who hasn't already been released be brought before a judge within that time.
At the hearing, the judge must:
Tell the person what they are charged with.
Tell them they don't have to say anything, and that what they say can be used against them.
Tell them they have a right to a lawyer, and that one will be appointed if they can't afford one.
Address detention or release conditions.
First appearance is not a trial. Guilt or innocence isn't decided there, and the person generally shouldn't discuss the facts of the case.
When are Brevard first appearances held?
Brevard first appearances are held in the courtroom at the jail complex.
Weekdays: 1:15 p.m.
Weekends and court holidays: 9:00 a.m.
Juvenile hearings are sometimes held first, which can push back the start of adult hearings. Paperwork filed late in the morning may roll the hearing to the next day's session.
Can family watch first appearance?
Yes, usually by livestream. The jail courtroom limits public access for security reasons, so the Sheriff's Office streams first appearances on its Jail Livestream page. The judge may pause the video or audio at times to keep confidential information off the stream. The same page also lists the jail's Wednesday morning plea court.
How Bond Works in Brevard County
Bond is money or a promise that lets a person leave jail while the case goes on, on the condition that they come back to every court date. In Brevard, bond can be set two ways.
Before first appearance, from the bond schedule. The 18th Circuit's bond schedule (which covers Brevard and Seminole) lists amounts by charge. For eligible charges, posting the scheduled amount may permit release before first appearance. Each charge needs its own bond.
At first appearance, by the judge. The schedule isn't binding on the first appearance judge, who can set a different amount, add conditions or, in limited cases, order the person held.
Does where you live change the bond amount?
Yes, before first appearance. Brevard's schedule has separate columns for local residents (Brevard or Seminole), other Florida residents, residents of other U.S. states, and people who live outside the U.S. The amount generally goes up with each tier. Residency has set definitions in the order, including how long a person has lived somewhere. A judge at first appearance can still set the amount differently.
Which charges have to wait for a judge?
The schedule lists dozens of offenses where the person is held without bond until a judge sees them at first appearance. These include first- and second-degree felonies, capital and life felonies, burglary, trafficking, domestic violence, violating an injunction, an arrest while on felony probation or community control, and failing to appear while out on bail. Check the person's actual booking status. A listed bond amount alone does not mean the person can be released right away.
How do you pay a bond at the Brevard jail?
According to the Sheriff's Office, bond can be posted 24 hours a day.
Full bond: cashier's check, certified check or money order, made payable to the Brevard County Clerk of Courts.
Cash or card: through the jail's TouchPay system, online, by phone or at the jail complex. You'll need the person's full name and jail ID number.
Bail bond agent: the Sheriff's Office can't recommend one. The Clerk has a bond agent search on its website.
Confirm the current payment options with the jail before paying. Release can take several hours after a bond is posted. Other charges, warrants or holds may prevent release even after a bond is paid.
Good to know: under Florida law, a cash bond posted in someone's name can be applied to that person's unpaid court fees, costs and fines when the case ends. Ask about this before posting.
What is pretrial release?
Instead of, or along with, a money bond, the first appearance judge may release a person into the Brevard County Sheriff's Pretrial Release program, unless the program finds non-monetary release isn't appropriate. Violating program conditions can be reported to the State Attorney, who may ask the court to revoke release.
After Release: What Comes Next
Release conditions, such as no contact with an alleged victim, start right away and apply until the judge changes them. Keep your mailing address current and confirm upcoming dates.
Find a court date: the Clerk's Find My Court Date page, or the court records search.
Get reminders: the Clerk's eNotify service sends email or text reminders of criminal court dates.
Need a continuance on a misdemeanor or traffic case? The Clerk may be able to grant one for a first appearance or arraignment, but only before the scheduled date and time.
In most cases, the next step is an arraignment, where the charge is formally read and a plea is entered. A lawyer can often file a written plea of not guilty and waive the arraignment, so the person doesn't have to attend that hearing. If you live outside Florida, ask early whether your case may be handled without returning. See Plea in Absentia.
Where Court Is Held
Later hearings are held at one of Brevard's courthouses. Check your notice for the location of each hearing.
Moore Justice Center, 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940
Melbourne Courthouse, 51 Nieman Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
Titusville Historic Courthouse, 506 S. Palm Ave., Titusville, FL 32796
Court hours are Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed from noon to 1 p.m. Everyone goes through a metal detector, and bags, phones and belts go through an x-ray. Weapons, knives of any size, pepper spray, lighters and liquids are among the items not allowed. See the court's security rules.
Need an interpreter? The court provides spoken-language interpreters, including Spanish, for people with limited English. Request one in advance through the 18th Circuit's interpreter page (en español).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until someone sees a judge after an arrest in Brevard?
Within 24 hours, unless they were already released on bond or a notice to appear. Weekday first appearances start at 1:15 p.m. and weekend and holiday sessions start at 9:00 a.m.
Is there a link to watch Brevard first appearance?
Yes. The Sheriff's Office streams jail court on its Jail Livestream page. The judge may pause the stream at times.
Can I bail someone out before first appearance?
For eligible charges, a scheduled bond may permit release before first appearance. Many people must see a judge first, including people arrested for serious felonies, burglary, domestic violence or while on felony probation. People who live outside Brevard and Seminole generally face a higher scheduled amount. Check the person's booking status before paying.
Does my family member need a lawyer at first appearance?
The judge will tell them they have the right to a lawyer, and will appoint one if they can't afford one. A private lawyer may also attend first appearance and speak on release. Talk with a lawyer about the specific case.
What happens if I miss my court date in Brevard?
The judge can issue a warrant for arrest. Contact a lawyer promptly. See Failure to Appear.
Talk With a Lawyer About a Brevard Arrest
Chad M. Seibel is a former Assistant State Attorney who handles criminal cases in Brevard County as well as Osceola. If someone you know was just arrested in Brevard, call or text 407-846-8008 for a free, confidential consultation. Calls from family members are welcome. From outside the U.S., dial +1 407-846-8008. You can also request a consultation online.
Arrested in Osceola County instead? See the Osceola County guide.
Attorney Chad M. Seibel, Of Counsel at Perez LaSure Law. Office in Kissimmee. Consultations and meetings available throughout Florida by appointment. Hablamos español. Atendemos em Português.
Official links
18th Circuit Administrative Order 26-32-B (initial appearances at the Brevard jail, signed July 31, 2026)
18th Circuit Administrative Order 26-13 (bond schedule for Brevard and Seminole, signed Feb. 16, 2026)
Brevard Sheriff: Jail Complex, Jail FAQs, Jail Livestream and inmate search
Brevard Clerk: court records search, eNotify and Criminal FAQs
18th Circuit: court locations, security rules and interpreters
Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rules 3.125, 3.130, 3.131, 3.160)