How Bail Bonds Work

How Bail Bonds Work

If your friend or family member has been arrested, chances are they will need someone to post bail on their behalf. How does this work? If you find yourself in this situation, you have some options to consider.

☎Questions? Talk to an agent(865) 523-9950

Step by Step

The defendant’s bail process.

1Arrest & bookingA person gets arrested and booked for a crime and is considered a defendant.
2ArraignmentThe defendant is held in jail while waiting for an initial court appearance, or “arraignment.” This is a brief hearing where the judge sets a bond amount that must be paid before the person is released from jail.
3Bond is setOnce the judge sets the bond, either the defendant, a friend, or a family member can pay the full amount of the bond.
4Call a bail bondsmanIf no one has enough money to pay the full bail amount, they can call a bail bondsman. This way, they only need to pay a small percentage of the bond to get their loved one out of jail.☎ (865) 523-9950
5ReleaseAfter the bond is paid, the jail processes the defendant’s release.
6Attend every court dateThe defendant must appear at all court dates for the bond to remain active. Failure to appear may result in loss of money, collateral and, most importantly, the defendant’s freedom.

FAQ

Common bail bond questions.

If you don’t have enough money to pay for bail, the defendant must wait in jail until their court date. A better option, however, is to hire a bail agent.

A bail bondsman in Tennessee charges a premium of up to 10% of the full bond amount. For example, a $10,000 bond will cost a $1,000 premium. Once the premium has been paid, the bondsman will post the full amount of the bond and the jail will begin the defendant’s release.

When you call a bail agent you’ll need to know:

  • The defendant’s full name and date of birth
  • The location of the jail
  • The booking number and charges
  • The bond amount

Depending on the amount of the bond and the severity of the alleged charge, a bail bondsman can require collateral to be signed over. Collateral is in addition to any paid premiums and could be cash, property, or any other asset. The purpose of collateral is to help guarantee the defendant appears in court.

Bail agents are available 24/7, so our response time is quick. Even though we can post your bail fast, it really depends on how crowded the jail is at the time the defendant is waiting to be released.

Still have questions? Call us at 865-523-9950 anytime to start the bail bond process.☎ Call now