Mar 26 2021
Self-Defense In Tennessee

Self-Defense In Tennessee

In Tennessee, you can’t be found guilty of a violent crime provided you can prove that the only reason you used the violent action was in self-defense. In addition to proving that you were in danger, you’ll also have to prove that your actions were reasonable given the set of circumstances you found yourself in.

To use the self-defense argument in Tennessee you must:

  • Prove that your life was in danger, that you were about to be touched unlawfully (sexual assault,) or believed you’d be injured

  • That you truly believed the amount of force you used during the action was the only way you could protect yourself

  • That you didn’t use more force than the situation justified

Tennessee has a surprising number of situations where self-defense is a reasonable defense, including:

  • Murder/man-slaughter
  • Aggravated battery
  • Assault with a deadly weapon

You Have to Prove Reasonable Belief

The most difficult aspect of using self-defense in many cases is proving that you truly believed that you were in danger. When these cases are heard by a jury, you and your defense team have to recreate the events in such a way that the jury is virtually standing in your shoes and really gets the sense that you were in danger.

What you can’t do is use self-defense and mental illness as a defense. If a murder or violent assault took place because the defendant heard voices or suffers from a mental illness that impedes their ability to judge circumstances, they’ll need to use a different defense than self-defense.

Battered-Woman’s Defense

There’s one exception to rule about not being able to use a mental illness as self-defense, which is battered woman’s syndrome (and battered male syndrome, though it’s not as common.) To use this defense, the defendant needs to prove that they were in an abusive relationship and that they feared for their life. In these cases, Tennessee judges have been advised to consider a self-defense argument.

Putting Together a Self-Defense Case

In most cases, self-defense cases never make it into the Tennessee court system. While it’s not unusual for a person to be arrested and held for a few hours while the police collect witness statements and evidence, normally, the police officers do a good job investigating the case and are able to easily determine that you were acting in your own best interest and the charges are eventually dropped.

 

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Mar 26 2021
Think Twice Before Making A Prank Call

Think Twice Before Making A Prank Call

When you’re the person making prank calls, it is a lot of fun, but you should know that each time you make one of those calls, you’re breaking Tennessee’s Penal Code 653m PC. This code also includes prank text messages and emails.

The problem with prank calls is that while you’re having a great time, the person on the other end isn’t. Having to deal with threatening and/or annoying calls is very stressful which is why the lawmakers got into the action. Don’t assume that your prank calls will simply get you a slap on the wrist. If the prosecutor decides to pursue the case and a jury finds you guilty, you’ll go through life with a misdemeanor on your record and could spend time in a county jail cell.

What Types of Call Violate Penal Code 653m PC

Most people assume that the only calls that will get them in trouble are ones that openly threaten the person on the other side of the message/call. The truth is that when you read Penal Code 653m PC, you’ll discover that Tennessee’s lawmakers consider repetitive and flat out annoying calls to also be in violation of the law.

The good news is that the most prosecutors aren’t looking for teenagers who randomly call people and ask them a joke. In most counties, Penal Code 653m PC is used mainly to prosecute harassing phone calls/messages that are involved with cases that include other issues such as stalking and domestic violence. The calls/messages that get the most attention from the authorities are the ones that are openly threatening and where obscene language is used.

One of the things that has gotten some people in trouble with the law is that they made a prank call but failed to connect with anyone on the other end, only to have the person return the call. If you start using obscene language at this point, the cops could knock on your door.

The Problem with Penal Code 653m PC

While most law officials feel that Penal Code 653m PC is a great idea, there are quite a few problems connected to it, which is bad news for prosecutors but good news for those charged with violating the law. The biggest problem is that the type of obscene language is so bad it violates Penal Code 653m PC. This gives the defense a good argument they can use to get the charges dismissed.

If found guilty, you could be required to pay a $1,000 fine and sentenced to 6 months in county jail.

 

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Mar 26 2021
Bail Bonds: How Much Does It Cost?

Bail Bonds: How Much Does It Cost?

One of the biggest questions people have when it comes to bailing someone out of jail is: how much is this going to cost? The answer to that varies from case to case. If a person is tackling the bail on their own, then it will probably cost several thousands of dollars. If the person gets a bail bond from Action Bail Bonding, then it will cost significantly less.

Here at Action Bail Bonding, our bonds only cost 10% of the bail they are for. This means that when our clients come to us for help, they get a 90% discount off the price of the bail. This can take the cost of a $20,000 bail and turn it into a much more affordable $2,000 bail bond. Who wouldn’t want a discount like this?

Aside from that discount, which all of our clients get, we also have other ways of reducing the cost of bailing someone out. For instance, we provide all of our clients with affordable, 0% interest payment plans. This breaks up the cost of the bail bond and spreads it out over several months.

We also offer special discounts for qualified clients. For instance, clients with approved credit can qualify for 0% down on their bail bond. This means they don’t have pay for the bail bond until a month after their loved one has been released. We also provide a 20% discount of the price of the bail bond for clients and co-signers who:

  • Are members of the military.
  • Are members of AARP.
  • Are members of a union.
  • Are homeowners.
  • Have private attorneys.

So long as a co-signer meets just one of those requirements, they can qualify for that discount.

While how much does a bail bond cost should be a simple questions to answer, it is hard to give a good answer without knowing the specifics of the case. Luckily, our bail agents are available to offer FREE consultations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidys). Our bail agents will be more than happy to answer all of your questions about bail.

If you want to know how much a bail bond will cost, call Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 or click Talk To An Agent Now to chat.

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Mar 22 2021
Finding Out If A Person Has An Arrest Warrant

Finding Out If A Person Has An Arrest Warrant

Whether you’re looking because you’re worried an arrest warrant has been filed against you or because you need to know about a person you’re dealing with, everyone has their own reasons for needing to know how to go about finding out if a person has an arrest warrant.

The most common reasons to find out if a person has an arrest warrant include:

  • You want to know if the police are going to knock on your door.

  • You’re worried about what might happen if a traffic cop pulls you over.

  • You need to run a background check on a potential renter/employee.

The good news is that it’s not difficult to find out if a person has an arrest warrant. All you need is a computer, a reliable internet connection, a third party website that deals with a criminal history, and some basic information about the person you’re researching.

The type of information you need to have when launching your search includes:

  • The person’s full, legal name.
  • Their age.
  • The state they’re located in.

The only problem is that sometimes you’ll get information about a different person who has the same name and is the same age. If you suspect you’re looking at the arrest record of someone who isn’t the person you’re researching, you may have to whittle down the search by using a precise address. Once you’ve provided this basic information, you’ll discover an entire treasure trove of interesting information.

In addition to learning if the person has an arrest warrant, you’ll learn:

  • When and where the criminal offenses took place.

  • What types of charges the person has dealt with.

  • The individual’s conviction history.

  • If they have any outstanding arrest warrants currently sworn out against them.

While the criminal history you uncover while trying to see if a person has an arrest warrant is complete though it might be more basic than what you’re looking for. If you don’t have a solid internet connection and know what counties are involved, you can contact the county clerk directly and ask them if you or a person you’re investigating has any arrest warrants. The county clerk should be able to tell you if there are any outstanding arrest warrants and also some basic information about the cases.

While you’ll be able to find out if a person has an arrest warrant and criminal history, there are some situations where the county clerk will be unable to provide much information. Traditionally they’ll be hesitant to provide details about cases that involve:

  • Domestic violence
  • Juveniles
  • Cases that involve family law
  • Cases that are under intense investigation

This is where Action Bail Bonding comes in to help.

We provide FREE warrant checks for anyone who needs one.

All you need to do is talk to one of our bail agents, and provide us with your name, birthday, and the county where you think the warrant was issued. If it is in a county where we can look for our clients, we will. If we cannot check-in that county, we will let you know how to find out for yourself.

Here is a list of counties where we can check for warrants:

  • Fresno County
  • Kern County
  • Orange County
  • Riverside County
  • Sacramento County
  • San Bernardino County
  • Stanislaus County
  • Contra Costa County
  • Tulare County – We will also need the case number for warrants in this county.

And sometimes, we can do warrant checks in:

  • Kings County
  • San Joaquin County

If you need to check for a warrant in any of these counties, we will be more than happy to help you. Unfortunately, we are not able to check for warrants in all counties due to each county having different rules when it comes to warrants. This is why we can check for warrants in one county, but not another.

No matter what your situation is, Action Bail Bonding will do whatever we can to assist you with your situation. Talk to one of our professional bail agents and get your questions answered. Consultation is FREE!

You can reach Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 and click Talk To An Agent Now to chat.

 

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Mar 8 2021
Tennessee Probation Violations: Here’s What Happens In Tennessee

Tennessee Probation Violations: Here’s What Happens In Tennessee

When you’re on probation, the courts will let you know what requirements you have to meet, but no one is going to hold your hand and remind you of those requirements every single day. It’s up to you to remember what you are and aren’t allowed to do. If you violate your probation, no one will be interested in excuses.

The issue of probation violations in Tennessee is covered by Penal Code section 1203.3. The code gives the court the option to decide to revoke or modify your probation following a violation.

When your probation officer alerts the court to a violation, you’ll have to appear at a probation revocation hearing.

Probation revocation hearings are different from traditional trials. The prosecution doesn’t have to prove their case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The only thing the prosecution has to do is prove that the probation violations that have been leveled against you are likely true. You are allowed to have a defense attorney argue your side of the case.

One of the more fascinating aspects of probation revocation hearings is that if the alleged violation took place during an alleged crime, you can actually be acquitted of the crime but still be found guilty of the violation, which could result in your probation getting revoked. The reason is that even if you didn’t commit the actual crime, you placed yourself in a situation where you could have done something illegal which is a violation of your probation.

You should get a letter that notifies you of the time and place that the probation revocation hearing will take place. The letter should also provide some insight into what you allegedly did to violate your probation in Tennessee.

The exact consequences of your probation violation will depend on how severe the violation was.

In extreme cases, the judge will decide to completely revoke your current probation and decide that you should serve the maximum sentence for the crime you committed. In some situations, this can result in your spending years in prison.

Another judge might decide that you shouldn’t be sent to prison for the violation. Instead, they will extend the amount of time you have to remain on probation. Once again, this could mean spending years dealing with strict rules and a probation officer before you finally regain your complete freedom.

If the violation involved using substances, drinking alcohol, or getting into a fight, there’s a good chance that the judge will require that you enroll in a counseling program.

When it comes to minor violations, some judges opt to either add some additional terms to the current probation. Another option for mild probation violations is requiring that you do some sort of community service.

When all is said and done, it’s best to stay on the straight and narrow path and obey all the rules while you’re on probation.

 

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Mar 1 2021
Your Privacy And Bail Bonds

Your Privacy And Bail Bonds

One of the worse things about living in the technology age is that everyone seems to know what is going on in your life even before you do. If you’re arrested, it’s likely that everyone in your social group already knows when it happened, who was involved, what jail you’ve been taken to and what the exact charges are before you’re even processed. Worst of all, everyone already has an opinion about the situation.

Given how fast bad news spreads, it’s easy to wonder if there is anyone who will respect your privacy during this trying time. The answer is yes. Every single person at Action Bail Bonding does everything in their power to help you maintain as much privacy as possible.

No One Has To Know You’ve Talked To Us

Getting arrested is bad. Having everyone know that you can’t cover your own bail and require a bail bond is even worse. We understand and have arranged things so that no one has to know you’ve even contacted us. Chatting via the internet or a phone call is the perfect way to stay up-to-date with your bail bond situation without having to worry that half of the community will see you walking into our office.

24/7 Bail Bond Service

The last thing you need is to lose your job because you’ve been arrested. The best way to make sure your boss doesn’t find out about your legal situation any sooner than necessary is getting released from jail before you’re late to your next shift. We can help make that happen.

You’re free to call or chat with us at any time of the day or night. We will provide you with a FREE consultation and make sure you understand all the ins and outs of the bail bond program. If you decide you want to use our services, we’ll jump into action and get you out of jail as quickly as we possibly can. With us in your corner, you’ll spend a minimal amount of time in a jail cell.

Payment Plans Available

We understand that you don’t want to bring anyone else into your situation. While there are some situations where we do require a co-signer, there are also plenty of times when we haven’t. Not having a co-signer spares you the embarrassment of having to tell someone the details of your life.

Everything Is Confidential

When you sign a contract with Action Bail Bonding, we promise to keep everything confidential. We won’t tell anyone the details of your case or that you turned to us for help.

There are many reasons you should contact us. Privacy is just one of the things you’ll enjoy when you come to us for help. Our outstanding bail services include:

  • 24/7 Bail Bond Service
  • FREE Consultation
  • 20% Discount
  • 0% Interest Payment Plans
  • Over the Phone Approvals
  • No Hidden Fees
  • No Collateral with Working Co-Signer
  • Easy to Understand Contracts
  • Discrete Service
  • Se habla Español

We have done everything in our power to make the entire bail bond process as fast and stress-free as possible. Call us today to learn more. We promise, we won’t let you down.

Bail help is only a phone call away at Action Bail Bonding, call 901-476-2245 or click Talk To An Agent Now to chat.

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Mar 1 2021
How To Expunge A Criminal Record In Tennessee

How To Expunge A Criminal Record In Tennessee

A criminal record can haunt you for the rest of your life. Even a minor offense can make it difficult for you to land your dream job, build a successful relationship, obtain business licenses, and even be approved for loans. The problem is that many people find out that you have a record and automatically assume that you’re in trouble. Many people fail to look any deeper into the situation. Arranging to have your criminal record expunged is one of the ways you can regain control of your life.

Difference Between Expunged Criminal Record And A Case Dismissal

It is important to know that there is a huge difference between having a criminal record expunged as opposed to a case dismissal in Tennessee.

What Is A Dismissal In Tennessee?

Having your case dismissed is the best possible thing that can happen to you. A case dismissal means that either the prosecutor or a judge looked at the details surrounding your case and decided to completely drop the charges.

Reasons for a case dismissal include:

  • Lack of evidence against you.
  • A failure to follow proper arrest/investigation procedures.
  • A Fourth Amendment violation.
  • Inadmissible testimony.

While your criminal record will show you were charged by the police, your dismissed case won’t appear on background checks run by potential employers and creditors. They can’t hold the dismissed case against you, though it’s possible that they will ask you about the arrest.

What Is An Expunged Case In Tennessee?

Expungement is different from a dismissal. When you’re case is expunged, all traces of it are removed from your record. When a background check is run on you, it will show no evidence that you were even talked to by the police, much less charged with anything.

It’s important to remember that when you have a case expunged from your record, it only applies to that case. If other charges were filed against you at some point, they remain on your record.

In some situations, it is possible to expunge your entire criminal record.

 

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Mar 1 2021
Parole vs. Probation

Parole vs. Probation

There are many terms out there that most people mix up. Often times, these terms are closely related and describe similar, yet different, things. The terms are often used so closely together that people begin to assume they mean the same thing. A good example of this would the difference between parole and probation.

Just about everyone knows that these two terms have something to do with getting out of jail. However, that is usually the extent of most people’s knowledge on the matter. This is due to the fact that they would rather not spend time learning about terms they will likely never need to know about. Unfortunately for some, jail has a way of sneaking up on them. This makes it important to know the difference between these two terms.

Probation is often a replacement for a jail or prison sentence. A person is given probation by their case judge, and they have set of rules or conditions that they have to follow which vary from case to case. If they fail to follow those, then they will be taken into custody. However, if they follow all of the rules, then they can finish their sentence without ever setting foot in jail or prison.

Parole deals with a person who was recently released from prison. When a person is released from prison, they are not immediately free. They have to go through a sort of trial period, which is what parole is. The person has to prove they are rehabilitated by meeting certain conditions while out on their own. The person is assigned a parole officer that they have to meet with on a regular basis.

It is easy to see that while these two terms are similar, they are also very different. Probation is a way to stay out of jail or prison, while parole is what happens after a person is released from prison. Both, however, do require the person to be on their best behavior, or else they may end up behind bars.

 

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Feb 26 2021
Distracted Driving In 2021

Distracted Driving In 2021

Most of us are familiar with drunk driving and know that it’s something we should avoid. Few of us know about distracted driving. Distracted driving is exactly what it sounds like. If you’re ticketed for distracted driving, it means that rather than paying attention to the road, the bulk of your attention was focused on something else.

Most distracted driving tickets are issued because the driver was using their cell phone while driving, but you can be ticketed for getting in an argument with your passengers, trying to set your navigation system while your vehicle is in motion, or even trying to mop up coffee that you’ve spilled all over yourself.

Distracted driving became a thing when manufacturers started installing radios in cars and people started getting into accidents because they were changing the station rather than watching the road. Today, cell phones are the biggest source of distracted driving. Stats indicate that sending a short text while you’re behind the wheel means your 23 times more likely to get into an accident. Many of these distracted driving accidents end with someone getting hurt.

Tennessee drivers have been getting distracted driving tickets for several years, but now that 2021 has begun, those tickets are a much bigger issue.

Tennessee law refers to distracted driving as “anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road or hands off the steering wheel – especially when texting or using your phone.”

The tweaks made to the distracted driving law in 2021 focus exclusively on anyone who is using their cell phone while they are behind the wheel.

The first time you’re caught using a cell phone while driving, you’ll be issued a ticket for $162. Any distracted driving tickets you collect after that first one will cost a whopping $285. If you get two or more tickets that are connected to using a cell phone while driving, the state will add a point to your license. Too many points and the state could suspend your driver’s license.

If you’re in an accident or cause a moving violation while you’re driving, the police officer will likely write additional tickets. When all is said and done, deciding to answer a text message while you’re behind the wheel could destroy several months of careful budgeting.

At this point, you will only receive a distracted driving ticket if you are using your hands to operate your cell phone. Hands-free phone operation is still allowed.

Tougher distracted driving penalties are just one of the changes drivers will encounter during 2021.

 

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Feb 17 2021
Consequences Of Failing To Honor Your Bail Agreement

Consequences Of Failing To Honor Your Bail Agreement

Bail is a monetary agreement you enter into with the court system. You pay bail in exchange for being released from jail. If you make all your court appearances, the court eventually returns the money to you.

When You Cover Your Bail

If you’ve paid the bail yourself and fail to appear in court, you forfeit the money. That doesn’t mean the court forgets about you. They have some options which include:

  • Swearing out an arrest warrant.
  • Sending officers to your home to get you.
  • Suspending your driver’s license.
  • Additional charges could be filed against you.

If you have used a bail bond company, things become complicated.

When Working With A Bail Bond Company

If you fail to appear in court, we aren’t just out the 10% of the bail you paid us, but we’re out the entire amount. The only way we can get our money back is by making sure you make it back to court. It’s in our best interest to make this happen as quickly as possible. We do this by sending a respected bail bond agent to find you and transport you to jail.

Failing to appear in court is often hardest on the people who believed in you so much that they co-signed for your bail or even offered up some of their assets as collateral. You owe it to them to make all of your court appearances and not doing anything to jeopardize the terms of your release.

Contact Us Today!

If you’ve been arrested, it’s in your best interest to be released as quickly as possible. It’s equally important that you’re working with a bail bond company that puts your interests first and who has a reputation for handling each of their clients fairly and with respect. You owe it to yourself and your family to work with Action Bail Bonding which is one of Tennessee’s most reliable bail bond companies.

Unlike some bail company that use a cookie-cutter approach to bail bonds, we understand that each person who asks for our help has unique needs. We carefully consider each person’s connection to the area, personality, employment history and legal history before coming up with a plan to bail them out of jail.

When you contact Action Bail Bonding for help with your bail, we ask for:

  • Proof of Residency
  • A valid state-issued identification card or driver’s license
  • A pay stub or bank statement that shows regular deposits

When you work with us, you’ll enjoy:

  • 24/7 Bail Bond Service
  • FREE Consultation
  • 20% Discount
  • Phone approvals
  • 0% Interest Payment Plans
  • No Hidden Fees
  • No Collateral with Working Co-Signer
  • Se habla Español

You don’t need to know everything about bail to rescue someone from jail. You can count on the expertise of our bail agents to guide you through this new process. Our bail agents are available for FREE consultations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays), so you can always get your questions answered.

For a FREE consultation or if you have any questions regarding bail bonds, call Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 or click Talk To An Agent Now to chat.

 

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