Turning Yourself In: Arranging a Surrender in Miami

You don't have to wait for police to show up at your home or job. A lawyer can find out where you stand, contact the detective or prosecutor, and in many cases arrange for you to turn yourself in on a planned date, with bond ready, so you can be released as quickly as possible.

Dennis Gonzalez Jr. is a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who has been defending people since 2012. Our office answers 24 hours a day. Call (305) 209-0384.

Signs You May Be Under Investigation

• A news story about an incident, a business, or a case you're connected to.
• A detective's phone call, or a business card left at your door.
• Friends, co-workers, or family telling you they were interviewed.
• A target letter from federal prosecutors.
• A search warrant served at your home or business.
• Bank accounts frozen or records subpoenaed.

Any one of these is a reason to call a lawyer now, before you talk to anyone.

Don't Talk to the Detective. Let Your Lawyer Call.

Detectives often say they just want your side of the story. The call is usually not to clear you. It's to get a statement they can use. You can politely say: My lawyer will contact you. Then call us. We will make the call, learn what we can, and protect you from there.

How We Check for a Warrant or Capias

In Florida, an arrest can be based on a warrant from a judge, or on a capias issued after prosecutors file formal charges. When a capias issues, the judge must write the bond amount, if any, on it. That tells us a lot about what happens next.

We check court and law enforcement records and, where it makes sense, contact the detective or the prosecutor directly to confirm whether there's a warrant, what the charges are, and whether bond has already been set. Sometimes the answer is that there is no warrant yet, and that is the time to talk strategy.

Why a Planned Surrender Beats Being Picked Up

• You control the timing. Not a 6 a.m. knock in front of your kids, or an arrest at work.
• Avoid a weekend in jail. We plan the surrender for a time when you can see a judge and be released quickly.
• Show the judge you're not a flight risk. Walking in voluntarily, with a lawyer, is strong evidence that you'll come to court.
• Bond is ready. Family has the money or collateral lined up, and the paperwork is done.
• No statements. You go in with a lawyer, not alone in an interview room.

Pre-Arranging Bond

Bond schedule. Florida still has one. The Florida Supreme Court adopts a uniform statewide bond schedule every year, and Miami-Dade has adopted it. Florida allows release before first appearance under that schedule, or as set by the judge on the arrest warrant. When that applies, you may be able to post bond and be released without waiting for a judge.

No release before first appearance for some charges. For certain charges, including first- and second-degree felonies, domestic violence, and other offenses listed in Florida law, and for anyone arrested for a felony while already on pretrial release, probation, or community control, release must wait for a judge to decide bond, if any, at first appearance.

Bond motions. If the bond set is too high, or no bond was set, we can file a motion and ask for a hearing. In felony cases, a bond-modification hearing requires at least 3 hours' notice to the State.

Bondsman. We help your family work with a licensed bail bond agent so the premium and collateral are ready the day of the surrender.

Source of funds (Nebbia). In fraud, economic crime, and drug cases, prosecutors often ask the judge to make the family prove the bond money is clean. Planning for that before the surrender can save days or weeks in jail. See Bond & Nebbia Hearings.

What to Bring, and What to Leave at Home

Bring:

• A government photo ID.
• A list of your medications and doctor information.
• Your lawyer's name and phone number, written down.
• Phone numbers of family, written down (you may not have your phone).

Leave at home:

• Weapons of any kind.
• Large amounts of cash, jewelry, or valuables.
• Anything illegal, or any medication not in its original prescription bottle.
• Notes or documents about the case. Leave those with your lawyer.

Booking and First Appearance

At booking, you'll be photographed and fingerprinted, your property will be logged, and you'll be screened medically. If bond was already set and posted, you may be released after processing.

If not, under Florida's rules every arrested person who hasn't already been lawfully released must be taken before a judge within 24 hours of arrest, in person or by video. At first appearance, the judge tells you the charge, advises you of your rights, and decides pretrial release. Because the surrender was planned, your lawyer is ready with your job, family ties, and community history.

Federal Self-Surrender

In federal cases in the Southern District of Florida, a lawyer can often arrange for you to self-surrender to the U.S. Marshals instead of being arrested by agents. Federal rules require that an arrested person be brought before a magistrate judge without unnecessary delay for an initial appearance. Release conditions or a detention hearing follow from there. Prosecutors may ask about the source of any property posted for bond.

How Family Can Help

1. Call us first, before paying anyone or talking to police.
2. Gather bond money and paperwork — pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, and collateral documents.
3. Don't discuss the case by phone or text with the person facing charges.
4. Pick one family point person to stay in touch with our office.
5. Plan for after release — a ride, work, child care, and any conditions like GPS.

Facing charges for fraud or white-collar crime? See Fraud & Financial Crimes and Economic & Financial Crimes.

Call Now. We Answer 24 Hours a Day.

Every hour matters when police are looking for you. Call (305) 209-0384 now. We'll find out where you stand and plan your next step, the right way.

Why Choose Dennis Gonzalez Law, P.A.

• Former Miami-Dade prosecutor.
• Defending people since 2012 in state and federal court.
• Super Lawyers recognition and an Avvo Rating of 10.0.
• Bilingual office — se habla español.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if I have a warrant?

Call us. We check records and, when it makes sense, contact the detective or prosecutor on your behalf, so you don't have to.

Will turning myself in help my case?

It shows the judge you're not a flight risk, which can help with bond, and it keeps you from making statements without a lawyer.

Can I bond out right away?

Sometimes, if a bond was set on the warrant or under the bond schedule. For some charges, you must wait for a judge at first appearance.

What if the detective just wants to talk?

Don't. Tell the detective your lawyer will call, then call us.

Can I surrender on a weekend?

It's possible, but usually not the best plan. We time the surrender to get you in front of a judge and released as quickly as possible.

How fast can you help?

Our office answers 24 hours a day. Call (305) 209-0384.