Former Franklin attorney J. Edward Moyler Jr. was arrested and released by a magistrate Wednesday afternoon on his own personal recognizance.

Moyler, who had been indicted Monday on nine counts of embezzlement, was booked at a jail, but didn’t stay or post bond.

“He was not expected to put any money up front,” explained Circuit Court Clerk Rick Francis. “If he doesn’t show up (to his next court appearance) he has to pay $25,000 of his own money to the court.”

Francis said Moyler would normally be required to come before the Southampton County Circuit Court on Tuesday for the judge to make a determination about his legal representation.

Moyler, however, will be in Suffolk at 10 a.m. that day to answer the civil judgments brought against him.

The next court date in Southampton is on Thursday.

Moyler’s embezzlement charges stem from Moyler’s admission in a civil proceeding that he took more than $4 million from the estate of Lucille K. Steinhardt, who died in October 2000.

Moyler, who filed for bankruptcy protection in October, said he borrowed the money and made poor investments.

The charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.