Securing release pending criminal prosecution can be a lengthy process for those in state custody. They must attend a hearing in front of a judge, which may leave them waiting for days.
They may need to make a cash payment to the courts to secure their release. After a judge sets a bail amount that allows a person to bond out of jail, those waiting for trial must pay an appropriate amount as a way of guaranteeing their future appearance in court.
Some defendants receive release on a personal recognizance bond. They do not actually need to pay anything to re-enter the community pending their trial. The law recently changed to modify personal recognizance bond rules in Tennessee.
How did the law change?
Many judges want to seem as reasonable as possible while still being tough on crime. If they determine that a defendant does not pose much risk to the community and is unlikely to flee the area, they may release them without requiring financial bail, which means releasing them on a personal recognizance bond.
Under the new law that amends personal recognizance bond practices, judges hearing cases involving serious felony offenses must assess the situation carefully. They must look at the severity of the crime and the record of the defendant.
They must also consider their ties to the community and how likely they are to flee when the charges brought against a person are a serious felony offense. Defendants facing misdemeanors and less serious felony charges may still be eligible for release on personal recognizance bond.
Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after an arrest can help people understand their options. The guidance of a criminal defense lawyer can help people protect themselves legally and financially while they’re awaiting a criminal trial.