FL H0097

Amends section 903.286, Florida Statutes, to allow court clerks to withhold funds from cash bonds posted by a criminal defendant or their spouse to pay unpaid costs of prosecution, representation costs, court fees, court costs, and criminal penalties.

Expands withholding authority to apply to cash bonds posted by the defendant or spouse, rather than limiting it to bonds posted by third parties other than bail bond agents.

Requires that if insufficient funds remain in the cash bond to cover all outstanding costs and penalties, the clerk must immediately obtain payment from the defendant or enroll them in a payment plan under section 28.246.

Mandates that all cash bond forms prominently display a notice informing defendants that funds are subject to forfeiture and that court clerks may withhold funds posted by the defendant or spouse for court-related costs regardless of who posted the funds.

Takes effect July 1, 2022.