PRELIMINARY HEARINGS

F.S. Ch. 902
in effect

F.S. 902.15 Undertaking by witness.

When a defendant is held to answer on a charge for a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment, the trial court judge at the preliminary hearing may require each material witness to enter into a written recognizance to appear at the trial or forfeit a sum fixed by the trial court judge. Additional security may be required in the discretion of the trial court judge.

F.S. 902.17 Procedure when witness does not give security.

(1) If a witness required to enter into a recognizance to appear refuses to comply with the order, the trial court judge shall commit the witness to custody until she or he complies or she or he is legally discharged. (2) If the trial court judge requires a witness to give security for her or his appearance and the witness is unable to give the security, the witness may apply to the court having jurisdiction to try the defendant for a reduction of the security. (3) If it appears from examination on oath of the witness or any other person that the witness is unable to give security, the trial court judge or the court having jurisdiction to try the defendant shall make an order finding that fact, and the witness shall be detained pending application for her or his conditional examination. Within 3 days from the entry of the order, the witness shall be conditionally examined on application of the state or the defendant. The examination shall be by question and answer in the presence of the other party and counsel, and shall be transcribed by a court reporter or stenographer selected by the parties. At the completion of the examination the witness shall be discharged. The deposition of the witness may be introduced in evidence at the trial by the defendant, or, if the prosecuting attorney and the defendant and the defendant’s counsel agree, it may be admitted in evidence by stipulation. The deposition shall not be admitted on behalf of the state without the consent of the defendant. (4) If a conditional examination is not made within 3 days, the witness shall be discharged. (5) A witness detained for conditional examination shall be entitled to fees as a witness for the period of her or his commitment.

F.S. 902.19 When prosecutor liable for costs.

(1) If a person makes a complaint before a county court judge that a crime has been committed and is recognized by the county court judge to appear before the court having jurisdiction to give evidence of the crime and fails to appear, the person is liable for all costs occasioned by his or her complaint, and the county court judge may enter a judgment and execution for the costs as in other cases. (2) A person who voluntarily appears before a grand jury, state attorney, or county court judge shall not be paid per diem or mileage as a witness unless the grand jury finds a true bill, the state attorney files an information, or the county court judge holds the party charged for trial. (3) A person who voluntarily appears or has himself or herself summoned before a county court judge as a witness on the trial of a misdemeanor shall not be paid per diem or mileage as a witness unless the trial results in a conviction of the defendant.

F.S. 902.20 Contempts before committing trial court judge.

A committing trial court judge holding a preliminary hearing shall have the same power to punish for contempts that she or he has while presiding at the trial of criminal cases.

F.S. 902.21 Commitment to jail in another county.

If a person is committed in a county where there is no jail, the committing trial court judge shall direct the sheriff to deliver the accused to a jail in another county.
Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter902/AllFetched: 7/8/2026