Judge: Isolation orders violators in Seminole, Brevard can be jailed without bond

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The chief judge for Brevard and Seminole counties issued an administrative order this week stating that people caught violating isolation orders can be held in jail without bond, until they see a judge.

Officials said the order is only meant for COVID-19 symptomatic individuals who defy commonsense guidelines.

Officials said nothing happened in either county that prompted this order, but that the order was meant to provide guidance on how such cases should be handled.

READ: Florida Department of Health working on mobile testing for ZIP codes with high number of COVID-19 cases

They said the order doesn’t prevent the initial appearance judge from granting bail.

In a written statement, Chief Judge Lisa Davidson said the order is intended solely for an individual who is COVID-19 symptomatic and flagrantly defies all commonsense guidelines for social distancing and self-quarantining.

She added that both the Brevard and Seminole county sheriffs understand the intent behind the order and agree that it is to be used only in situations when public safety is at risk.

The state attorney's office said prosecutors will also consider requesting GPS monitoring, or any other conditions that help ensure defendants remain in isolation or quarantine.

“Our role is to balance public safety versus constitutional rights and civil liberties it to protect the civil liberties of the people who have been arrested,” said Blaise Trettis, Brevard and Seminole county public defender.

Officials said the order remains in effect until further order of the court.

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