When a juvenile is initially apprehended on suspicion of having committed a crime, he or she may be held briefly before appearing in court. Florida juveniles do not receive a bond; court’s review a Risk Assessment Instrument to determine whether the child scores for straight release, home detention, or secure detention (in a juvenile detention facility). The more serious the offense, the more a child will score. Under most circumstances, a court may only hold a child in detention for 21 days before the prosecution must try the case or allow release pending resolution.
If a child is direct-filed or transferred to adult court, they will be detained in the county jail much like any other adult criminal defendant.