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BAIL BASICS GENERAL SESSIONS JUDGES CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER, 2016
• BY: ANDY BRIGHAM
• STEWART COUNTY GENERAL SESSIONS COURT
• STEWART COUNTY IS THE GATEWAY TO THE
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES AND HOME TO THE SCREAMING EAGLES, 101ST AIRBORNE (AIR ASSAULT) DIVISION (THE WATCHERS ON THE WALL)
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT • “Bail is a basic component of the American
judicial system and is predicated on the principle ‘that a person accused of [a] crime shall not, until … finally adjudged guilty in the court of last resort, be absolutely compelled to undergo imprisonment or punishment’.” • State v. Burgins, 464 S.W.3d. 298, 2015 Tenn. LEXIS
285 (Tenn. 2015)
Right to Bail • Release from Custody and Bail Reform Act of 1978. Tenn.
Code Ann. 40-11-101, et. Seq.
• All defendants have a right to bail prior to trial for all offenses except for “capital offenses where the proof is evident or the presumption great.” Tennessee Constitution and statute.
• There is no right to a speedy bail determination. Fields v. Henry County, Tennessee, 701 F.3d 180, 185 (6th Cir. 2012).
• Bail may not be excessive. U.S. Constitution and Tennessee Constitution.
Purposes of Bail • To secure the presence of the defendant in court
• To protect the public safety
• Not to be used to punish the defendant
Who Sets?
• Committing Magistrate, any judge of the circuit or criminal court, or the clerk of the circuit or criminal court.
Making Bail • First Choice: Release on Recognizance or
Unsecured Appearance Bond.
• Defendant is released on promise to appear in court.
• Factors for magistrate to consider – Tenn. Code Ann. 40-11-115(b).
• Factors used to assess likely presence in court.
Making Bail, cont. • Second Choice: Release on Nonfinancial
Conditions.
• Conditions are to be least onerous to secure presence in court.
• Release to “qualified person” • Reasonable restrictions on activities. • Any other reasonable restriction.
Making Bail, cont. • Third Choice: Release on Secured Bail Bond
• Factors in Setting – same as for O.R. bond except
to consider safety of public.
• Magistrate may place reasonable restrictions on defendant’s activities
Making Bail, cont. • If defendant is arrested for a traffic offense
which results in death or serious bodily injury:
• And has no driver’s license, and • No evidence of insurance coverage, and • Is not lawfully present in the United States, then
• May be deemed a flight risk • 40-11-118(e)
Domestic Violence C.O.R. • Domestic Violence, Violation of OP, Stalking, Agg.
Stalking, Esp. Agg. Stalking
• Magistrate must consider threat to victim, public, as well as flight risk
• Specific conditions may be ordered (standard DV conditions)
Domestic Violence, cont. • Twelve hour hold “shall” be ordered unless
magistrate finds defendant is not a threat
• Same conditions, including 12 hour hold, for abuse of impaired adult
• GPS or electronic receptor device may be ordered
Driving Offenses Conditions • Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide while
intoxicated, Agg. Vehicular Homicide, or DUI: Magistrate shall consider special conditions:
• Ignition interlock devices • Transdermal monitoring devices • Electronic monitoring with random screens • Pretrial residency in rehab. facility
Driving Offenses, cont. • Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide while
intoxicated, Agg. Vehicular Homicide
• If prior alcohol related conviction
• On or after July 1, 2015
• Magistrate shall order transdermal device
Clerk’s Limits • $1,000 – misdemeanor
• $10,000 – felony, not against person
• $50,000 – felony, against person
• $100,000 - homicide
Cash Bonds • Allowed, but must be given option for secured
bond also
• Can be used to pay costs/fines
• All persons depositing cash must agree for release to pay costs/fines
Real Estate • Land with unencumbered equity 1 ½ times the
amount of the bond
• Deed of Trust required
• Title search and appraisal necessary?
Non-professional Sureties • Bail may be satisfied by at least two “sufficient”
sureties approved by the magistrate or officer
• May not be professional bondsmen or attorneys
• Stewart County practice: 2 landowners, bond less than $5,000
New Charges • When a defendant incurs new charges while free
on bail, the new bail must be double the “customary” amount
• Magistrate “shall consider” special conditions if pending charge is Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide while Intoxicated, or DUI, and defendant is charged with a subsequent such offense
Changes to Bail
• Defendant may motion the court for change in bail or conditions
Violations of Conditions of Release
• Non-Domestic Violence Cases:
Court may declare forfeiture Court may issue arrest warrant – charge would be contempt Court may revoke bond (using procedures discussed below)
Violations of Conditions of Release • Domestic Violence Cases
• Defendant subject to immediate arrest • Defendant may be charged with contempt • Defendant may be charged with Class A
Misdemeanor if activity also constitutes violation of order of protection
• Court may revoke bond (using procedures discussed below)
Revocation of Bond • Procedures outlined in State v. Burgins, 464
S.W.3d 298, 2015 Tenn. LEXIS 285 (Tenn. 2015) • Analysis of Tenn. Code Ann.§ 40-11-141(b) • Proper procedures:
• Initiation of proceeding: judge or state • Notice: written notice of grounds, date, time,
place of hearing • Hearing Requisites: disclosure of evidence;
meaningful opportunity to be heard and to present evidence;
Revocation of Bond, cont. • Right to confront and cross examine; right to
make arguments • Conduct of hearing: evidentiary hearing; state
has burden of proof; standard of proof is preponderance of evidence
• Evidence: rules “somewhat flexible” - reliable hearsay allowed; corroboration required of documentary proof
• Note: no explicit right to counsel at this hearing, but best practices would dictate
Revocation of Bond, cont. • Findings:
• Violation of condition of release, or • Committed a criminal offense while released on
bond, or • Engaged in conduct resulting in the obstruction of
the orderly and expeditious progress of the trial or other proceeding
Revocation of Bond, cont. • Disposition factors court must consider:
• Court must consider general bail factors at 40-11-
118
• Court must consider whether additional bail or conditions would assure appearance of defendant and protect the public
Revocation of Bond, cont. • Disposition options:
• Revoke bail and hold defendant until trial
• Continue bail with possibility of additional
conditions or increase in bail
Surrender of Defendant • Surrender must be for “good cause”
• Violation of contract • Belief that defendant will FTA • Forfeit, conditional or final has been issued • FTA • Arrested • Other
Surrender, cont. • Defendant entitled to hearing within 72 hours of
surrender to determine “good cause”
• Arrest may be “at any place either in or out of the state”
• Bondsman must have a certified copy of the “undertaking” – if served by an agent, must be endorsed by bondsman
Surrender, cont. • Good cause:
• Violation of contract • Belief that defendant may fail to appear • Conditional or final forfeiture entered • Failure to appear • Defendant arrested • Other good cause
Exoneration of Bondsman • Surrender with good cause
• Disposition of charge
• Conviction • Acquittal • Guilty plea • Agreement with the state • Diversion • Retirement
Exoneration, cont. • If defendant is incarcerated in another
jurisdiction, bond is good until detainer is placed • Bondsman remains liable for expenses incurred
in transporting defendant • If detainer is refused, or defendant is released
notwithstanding detainer, bondsman is entitled to exoneration if appropriate documents are shown
Questions