PINELLAS PASCO COVID-19 NO BOND FOR ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE VIOLATIONS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

On March 27, 2020, Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino signed an order allowing Judge’s in the 6th Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco Counties) to hold people who violate the isolation and quarantine orders without bail under certain conditions.

First, the order remains in effect while the State of Florida is under a declared public health emergency. Second, the person has to violate the isolation or quarantine, or any requirement adopted by the Department of Health in accordance with the declared public health emergency. Third, that person must be, “reasonably believed to be infected” with the coronavirus or who is, “reasonably believed to have been exposed”… If those fact are present, then the violation is presumed to involve a danger to the public health. If an arrest is made, that person will be facing a criminal offense which is a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in the county jail and up to a $500 fine.

However the immediate pressing issue is that the order calls for the person meeting the above three conditions to be initially held with zero bond. However, a judge at first appearing may modify the no bond status if appropriate. The order also allows the assigned judge or a duty judge to address other emergency relief.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other legal matter,  please feel free to contact me at https://www.montronelaw.com/contact-us/.