Hernando County Detention Center Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Hernando County Florida
Hernando County: What Happens After a Criminal Charge
Whether an arrest happens in Spring Hill, Brooksville or out near Weeki Wachee, Hernando County cases go through two Florida trial courts. Hernando County Court is for misdemeanors, for criminal traffic offenses (a DUI, say, or driving while suspended), and county ordinance violations. Hernando Circuit Court is for felonies, which can mean prison, and for cases where the person accused is a minor.
Hernando is part of Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit. It shares that circuit with four neighbors: Citrus, Lake, Marion and Sumter. Local criminal hearings are held at the Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, FL 34601. The Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller runs its main office in that building and a second office in Spring Hill’s Forest Oaks Government Center; both use (352) 754-4201. Adults who are arrested go to the Hernando County Detention Center, 16425 Spring Hill Drive, Brooksville, which the Sheriff’s Office operates.
Free case lookup: The Hernando Clerk sends the public to Hernando County’s free shared court records search. With a name or a case number you can check charges, court dates, judges and outcomes in seconds. Some files stay out of view, including juvenile records, sealed and expunged cases, and confidential details such as a victim’s address.
Federal court: Hernando isn’t in the Tampa federal division, as many people guess. It belongs to the Ocala Division of the federal Middle District of Florida, along with the rest of the 5th Circuit’s counties. That courthouse is the Golden-Collum Memorial Federal Building, 207 NW Second Street, Ocala, FL 34475. A crime becomes federal when it breaks a United States law, crosses state or national lines, or happens on federal land. Florida laws broken inside the county stay in Brooksville. In Hernando, the main piece of federal land is the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge along the Gulf coast, which it shares with Citrus County. Poaching or crimes inside the refuge, boats smuggling drugs into Gulf inlets, internet crimes against children, and large fraud schemes aimed at retirees are typical federal cases. No reservation lies inside Hernando; the nearest Seminole Tribe land is down in Hillsborough County at Tampa. Jump to a section below.
Immigration holds. If ICE lodges a Hernando detainer on someone:
- the Hernando bond judge must be told (F.S. 908.105)
- the Hernando prosecutor gets notice
- bond is still possible in Hernando
- ICE gets up to 48 extra hours
- Hernando counts weekends and holidays in that time
- F.S. 907.041: in Hernando, an unauthorized alien facing a Hernando forcible felony charge stays in the Hernando jail until first appearance
- at that point a Hernando judge presumes detention, but the Hernando defense can rebut it
Town courts. Since 1972 Article V changes, Hernando has had no city courts. Any Hernando city ordinance case is heard in Hernando County Court instead, alongside misdemeanors.
- Misdemeanor court in Brooksville: retail theft, DUI, battery, driving on a suspended license
- Hernando felonies: burglary, fentanyl and pill sales, grand theft, scams against seniors
- The gravest Hernando cases: homicide, home-invasion robbery, sexual battery, drive-by shootings
Misdemeanor court in Brooksville: retail theft, DUI, battery, driving on a suspended license
A sheriff’s deputy who stops someone for a small crime can choose to write a notice to appear rather than make an arrest. It works like a ticket with a court date. People who are booked into the detention center on Spring Hill Drive see a judge within 24 hours, as Florida court rule 3.130 requires. This is called first appearance, and the judge will explain the charge and your rights. Before that, deputies rely on the Florida Supreme Court’s bond chart for 2026 (AOSC25-69), which sets the smallest bond allowed for each offense. Bond means money or a promise held by the court to be sure you return. Some arrests, such as domestic violence, require waiting for the judge before anyone can bond out. Hiring a licensed bail bond company lets you post the full amount for a fee, usually 10% of the bond, that you don’t get back.
Prosecution is handled by the 5th Circuit State Attorney, an elected official whose office covers all five counties and every kind of state crime. Defendants too poor to hire counsel may get lawyers from the 5th Circuit’s Public Defender, who is also elected. When a conflict of interest gets in that office’s way, the judge appoints a different defense office paid for by the state, called Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (lawyers often say CCRC). Statute 938.29 permits a judge to order repayment of public defense costs after a case, and unpaid fees may be recorded as a lien.
The punishments are capped by degree. Penalties top out at a year in jail and $1,000 for a first-degree misdemeanor, or 60 days and $500 for second degree. Prosecutors get 90 days to try a misdemeanor under Florida’s speedy trial rule, though the defense can give up that protection. Six citizens sit on the jury. Many first offenders qualify for pretrial diversion, so the charge is dropped once they finish the program.
Teens: Any case against a minor belongs to Circuit Court, where juvenile judges hear it. For first-time small offenses, Florida’s civil citation law (Statute 985.12) allows a sanction such as community service or counseling instead of an arrest record. A child who is taken into custody is held by the Department of Juvenile Justice at the regional detention center serving the 5th Circuit, the Marion Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Ocala, and a judge decides at a hearing, held within 24 hours, whether the child stays.
Hernando felonies: burglary, fentanyl and pill sales, grand theft, scams against seniors
When a crime can be punished with state prison, it’s a felony. At first appearance, a judge decides on pretrial release, or letting the person go home before the case is over, often with conditions like a curfew or GPS monitor. A prosecutor then reviews the evidence and, if it’s strong enough, files a formal charge called an information. At arraignment, the defendant picks a plea. Besides guilty and not guilty, there’s no contest, which accepts the punishment without admitting guilt.
Third-degree felonies, including grand theft of $750 or more, are punishable by up to 5 years. Second-degree felonies, for example burglarizing a house while nobody is home, bring up to 15. First-degree felonies bring up to 30. Selling fentanyl or other drugs in large amounts can be charged as trafficking, with mandatory minimum terms. Judges fill out a scoresheet under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code that scores the offense and prior record as points, which set the lowest legal sentence. Under Florida’s 85% rule, release before most of the term is served isn’t possible.
Felony cases get a longer speedy trial window, 175 days, and defendants commonly waive it. Felony juries have six people, and a guilty verdict needs all six. Most Hernando felony cases end with a plea deal.
Teens: Most teenage felony cases stay with the juvenile judge, using supervision, school requirements and treatment. Prosecutors can still choose to “direct file” adult charges under Statute 985.557. For teens who are 16 or 17, that’s possible with most felonies. For those who are 14 or 15, it’s limited to listed serious crimes such as robbery or aggravated battery. Mandatory direct filing was ended by the Legislature in 2019, so each Hernando case is now a judgment call.
The gravest Hernando cases: homicide, home-invasion robbery, sexual battery, drive-by shootings
Violent felonies use the same Circuit Court process with far bigger consequences. Some crimes, like home-invasion robbery with a weapon, can be life felonies or first-degree felonies punishable by life. Premeditated murder is a capital felony in Hernando, with death or life without parole as the only sentences. A Hernando defendant facing a capital or life felony can be held with no bond before trial when the proof is clear.
Gun crimes fall under the 10-20-Life statute, 775.087, with minimum terms for certain felonies: a decade for carrying the weapon, two decades for shooting it, and a minimum of 25 years, possibly life, when a bullet kills or badly wounds a person.
Death penalty cases use a full 12-person jury. A 2023 Florida law lowered the votes needed for a death recommendation to 8 of 12. Men awaiting execution live at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford; women are housed near Ocala at Lowell Correctional Institution. Under Marsy’s Law in Florida’s Constitution, victims can be notified of hearings, attend and speak, and the State Attorney’s victim advocates help them through each step.
Teens: If a crime could bring death or life imprisonment, Florida Statute 985.56 allows a secret grand jury of local citizens to issue an indictment that sends a child, whatever the age, into adult court. Minors tried as adults can’t receive the death penalty. Before a life sentence, a Hernando judge must also look closely at the teen’s age, upbringing and capacity to change during a separate hearing.
Hernando residents can use this guide for a general picture of local criminal courts, but it’s no substitute for legal advice. If your case is real and pending, contact a defense lawyer, or call the Hernando Clerk’s office at (352) 754-4201 for court dates and file information.
Criminal Court Process for Hernando County Florida
Hernando County Florida Criminal Court System - Definitions
It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Florida Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.
If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Hernando County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.
Arrest is when Florida, Hernando County, or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed.
In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Hernando County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.
Booking is when the Hernando County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation and verification of identity.
The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Florida, Hernando County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for the Hernando County or the district is called the State’s Attorney. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.
Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case. For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case. If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime. Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.
Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.
Bail is money paid that is held by the Hernando County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment.
Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Hernando County jail until their trial. Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail and of January 1, 2024, Florida moved to a statewide uniform bond schedule. When you are arrested, under most circumstances your bond amount is set during the booking process and the defendant is eligible to bond out before going to court. Prior to January1, 2024, each county sets their own bond schedule, and the bond amount was set during booking.
During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. Jailors, law enforcement and prosecutors do not have authority to set bail, a judge or court officer in the Hernando County or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Florida rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
If someone is arrested for failure to appear or a violation of probation or a violation of pretrial release, there will be no granting of a bond even after first appearance court.
It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
(There have been phone scams to where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
All bonds in Florida are secured, meaning that the courts will not allow a personal recognizance bond as other states. A defendant can pay a cash bond however if the bond amount is less than $250, a bondsman will not handle it.
Surety Bond is the most common type of secured bond in Florida. It is when defendant pays 10 % of the bond amount to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in Florida. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Florida.
Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted). This is handled by a bail bond company. Usually, the property must be in Hernando County and it must be worth 1 ½ or 2 times the bond amount. An appraisal of the property is required and everyone on the deed must sign.
Transfer Bonds are transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states. For a Florida resident arrested in another state, bond companies will do transfer bonds but the person putting up the security has to be a Florida resident.
A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases and certain appeal cases.
Everyone is appointed a public defender in Florida at first appearance court (unless you retain private counsel fast enough that they can appear). The $50 public defender fee gets tacked on to fees and costs once the case is ended. There are also several offices of conflict counsel that handle cases that the public defenders cannot represent due to a conflict of interest or special subject matter.
For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. This website provides contact information for pro bono services in Florida.
Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se. Here is a link for legal self-help centers in Florida.
A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are located in the community. A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are three U.S. federal district courts in Florida, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.
Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered. This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.
Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings. A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment. The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty. There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of more serious criminal related to the crime.
Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial. If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial. If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released. If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.
Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.
Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court. If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.
Florida Felony vs Misdemeanor
In Florida, a misdemeanor is divided into two classes. Misdemeanor in the first degree that holds a punishment of a jail sentence up to 1 year and a fine up to $1000. Examples on a first-degree misdemeanor include DUI, simple assault, certain types of theft under $750 and possession of small amounts of controlled substances. Misdemeanor in the second degree holds a punishment of up to 60 days and a fine up to $500. Examples of second-degree misdemeanor include petty theft, disorderly conduct and certain types of trespassing.
A felony crime is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and are divided into different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors. Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft. In Florida, the classes of felonies are capital felony, life felony, felony of the first degree, second degree and third degree.
The Hernando County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.
A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement. There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime.
A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date. It does not involve an arrest. A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.
A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.
Fines are usually paid to the District Court or Hernando County Clerk of Court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, have to pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest. It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket.
Florida Criminal Court System - How it Works
In Florida, the courts system is made up of county courts, circuit courts, district courts of appeal and one Supreme Court. Florida does not have municipal courts. It is important that you get the address of the court that you are to appear at because going to the wrong courthouse is not always an accepted excuse for not showing to court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.
County courts are in each county of Florida and some call them misdemeanor or traffic court. County court handles all misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases. Most counties have their own traffic citation courts.
Circuit courts only hear felony cases. Many cases are heard by a single judge. First appearance court is handled by a single judge in most circuits or it is rotated among all the circuit judges. Also, some circuits have one judge that handles just violations of probation, one judge that handles just post-conviction matters, one judge that handles only capital cases and specialty courts.
Juvenile cases are heard in circuit court. Most counties/circuits have their own juvenile court divisions. The following web page describes services and resources for Florida’s juvenile justice.
Specialty courts or problem-solving courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. Florida offers problem-solving courts solutions throughout the state that offer attention to the following areas: adult drug use, juvenile drug use, dependency, DUI, mental health and veteran court.
District courts of appeal conduct review of cases on appeal from county and circuit courts.
Tribal Court is available for the Seminole Tribe.
The Florida Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Florida State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.
The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.
FEDERAL COURT
Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws. Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.
Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime.
There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Florida state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).
Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.
There are three U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Florida.
