Jun 15 2021
Is It Worth Fighting A Traffic Ticket?

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When you get a traffic ticket for speeding or running a stop sign, you can easily pay it, but you wonder whether it is worth fighting the ticket. You might be able to get it reduced or thrown out altogether. In some cases, it can be worth it to fight. However, it is not always the easiest or fastest thing to deal with. In the long run, you may end up losing more money on wasted time. Before you decide, evaluate the pros and cons, including how disruptive it could be to your daily routine and how much you have to gain or lose financially. You need to look at not only your ticket, but your insurance premiums that could increase due to the ticket.

You can get out of paying for a traffic ticket if you show up for court, but the officer does not. This results in an automatic win for you because you are being denied the right to question your accuser. If you postpone your court date and even choose one close to the holidays, you could be increasing your chances on having a no-show from the officer. Officers tend to schedule all their court appearances on the same days so they can do them all at once. If you can get the date moved, you could be in luck. If you get a date close to a major holiday, there is a chance the officer is off on vacation. The officer also may not show up for court if your ticket is inexpensive and is for a very low-level incident.

If you get a ticket based on camera footage, the ticket can get dismissed if the court does not have the video or picture. The courthouse may not want to go through the trouble of acquiring that video footage which means you win and do not have to pay the ticket.

There are other ways to fight a ticket, like getting a lawyer who specializes in traffic cases, but the ones mentioned here are the easiest, fastest, and most affordable ways to get out of paying for the ticket. These depend on your luck, but there could be a chance that luck is on your side.

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Jun 3 2021
What Do You Know About Bail Bonds?

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If you are like most people, then your answer to the question, What do you know about bail bonds?, is probably somewhere along the lines of not much. That is perfectly fine. Most people never need to know anything about bail or bail bonds. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen and a person finds themselves needing to post bail.

Sometimes the bail is for yourself. Other times the bail is for a loved one. Regardless of who the bail is for, chances are you are going to want some help with it. Aside from simply not knowing much about how bail works, you’ve also discovered that it is incredibly expensive. You can solve both of those problems by contacting Action Bail Bonding.

Since our founding in 1987, Action Bail Bonding has been helping Tennesseens deal with bail.

We know everything there is to know about the subject and are more than willing to share that knowledge with you.

Our bail agents are available to talk to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays). They will always be there to answer any of your bail-related questions.

Aside from just explaining the bail process, we also work hard to make it cheaper as well. For instance, our bail bonds only cost 10% of your loved one’s bail. This means that you can save 90% just by coming to us for help. On top of that, we can set you up with a personalized payment plan and may even be able to offer you an additional discount if you qualify.

We do a lot for our clients here, including:

  • 24/7 Bail Bond Service
  • FREE Online or Phone Consultation
  • 20% Discount (to qualifying clients)
  • 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

No one should ever feel ashamed to ask for help, especially bail help. At Action Bail Bonding we understand that most people don’t need bail. However, when the time comes to bail someone out of jail, we are always there to lend a hand.

What are you waiting for? You can talk to a bail agent for FREE by calling Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 or by clicking Chat With Us now.

 

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May 31 2021
How To Dress Properly For Court

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It doesn’t matter if you’re in civil or legal court, you want to make sure you’ve dressed appropriately. The good news is that getting dressed for court isn’t difficult. It’s also likely that you have most of the items needed to make a good impression so you don’t have to worry about the expense of a shopping trip.

The first thing to consider is the color of the clothing you’re going to wear. It’s suggested that you stick to conservative, neutral colors. Most people opt for dark colors.

It’s a good idea to layer. Some courtrooms run hot and some are cold. While you’re in court you want to be paying attention. You don’t want to worry about freezing or overheating. Layers allow you to peel off a jacket or cardigan if the courtroom is warmer than expected.

Choose clean clothing. In addition to making sure that everything you wear to the courtroom is clean, take a few minutes to check for stains and tears. Depending on the type of material your court clothes are made out of, you might have to give yourself enough time to iron them before leaving court.

You want to appear nicely dressed while you’re in court, but since you could be sitting for a long time, you also want to choose comfortable clothing. Avoid anything that bunches, twists, is too tight, or that tends to pinch. You want to pay attention to the judge and the lawyers, you don’t want to be playing with your clothing.

When dressing for court, you should strive for a professional look. If you don’t own a suit, at least consider a nice button-down shirt and a pair of slacks. If you don’t own slacks look for a dark pair of jeans that fits well.

If you must wear jewelry, keep it simple, tasteful, and minimal. There are two reasons for this. Clunky and jangly jewelry is distracting in a courtroom setting. It can also make you look less serious. The second reason to wear as little jewelry as possible is so that you have less to remove when going through metal detectors.

It’s likely that you’re supposed to be in court relatively early in the morning and you don’t want to be late. Decide what you’re planning on wearing to the court the night before and lay everything out. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready and still arrive in the courtroom on time.

 

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May 21 2021
Understanding Tennessee’s Jury Duty

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U.S. citizens who reside in the United States can receive a letter in the mail that summons them to serve on a jury. This is called jury duty. If selected to serve on the jury you’ll listen to a court case and use what you learned during the trial to decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

Who is Eligible For Jury Duty?

In Tennessee, there are some people who aren’t required to respond to a jury duty summons. People who are exempt include:

  • Residents who aren’t U.S. citizens.

  • Anyone under the age of 18.

  • Anyone who demonstrates that they don’t have a strong enough grasp of the English language to adequately understand/discuss the details of the case.

  • Anyone who has been convicted of a felony and not yet had their civil rights restored.

  • Anyone who lacks the ability to care for themselves and is under a conservatorship.

  • Anyone who has received a jury duty summons within the last 12 months.

You can only be asked to serve on a jury that is taking place in the county you legally reside in.

How Long Does Tennessee Jury Duty Last?

Tennessee has what is called a one-day or one-trial policy for jury duty. This policy was adopted in 1999 in an attempt to make things simpler for jurors and their employers. The way this works is that a juror is not required to serve more than one day of on-call jury duty. This means that if the person is called into the courthouse for jury duty selection and isn’t selected, they have still fulfilled their one-year requirement and can’t be summoned for jury duty for a full twelve months.

If the juror is assigned to on-call or standby jury service they only have to remain on-call for five days. After that, they are released from jury duty for a year.
If you’re selected as a jury member for a trial case, you will have to sit through the entire trial. Once the trial is over, you’ll be released from jury duty for a full year.

Are You Paid For Jury Duty?

Tennessee does have a policy in place to make sure that anyone who responds to a jury duty summons is paid, but you won’t make enough to cover the cost of not going to work. The policy is that you’re paid $15 a day for jury duty. You’ll also receive a $0.34 reimbursement for each mile you have to commute to the courthouse. The mileage reimbursement only covers your commute to the courthouse, not home, and only kicks in if you’re assigned to a trial and have to make the commute more than one day. Some counties have a policy in place that covers the cost of public/mass transportation.

The exception to the $15 a day payment is government employees who receive their full pay plus their benefits.

What If You Neglect To Respond To A Jury Duty Summons?

While it’s easy to understand that urge to ignore a jury duty summons, it’s something you’ll later regret. You’re legally required to respond. A failure to respond to the summons will result in you potentially being fined up to $1,500 and possibly even have to serve some jail time.

If an emergency comes up, you can’t simply fail to show up for jury duty. In the event of an emergency, you have to contact the courthouse as quickly as possible. If the judge feels the emergency is valid and severe, they will excuse you. This is true even if you’re in the middle of a trial jury. Be prepared to provide proof of the emergency.

 

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May 19 2021
About Our Online Bail Bonds Program

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If you live out of state, struggle with transportation or aren’t in a position where you can make a trip to the Action Bail Bonding office, but also need to arrange to bail a loved one out of jail, you should seriously consider our online bail bonds program.

What Is Our Online Bail Bonds Program?

Our online bail bonds program is quite similar to an online car insurance program. Instead of calling, you use the Chat With Us link which immediately puts you in touch with one of our bail bond experts. During the FREE bail bond consultation, our expert will listen to the unique details of your situation. They will also discuss how the Action Bail Bonding program works. If you want us to provide the bail for your loved one, the next step is going through our online bail application process.

How Our Online Bail Program Works?

Don’t worry. You won’t be overwhelmed by our online application. It’s quite straightforward and simple. First, you’ll have to provide some basic information which includes:

  • Date of Birth
  • Address
  • Current Employment
  • Driver’s License Number
  • Phone Number

The most complicated part is explaining the circumstances of your loved one’s arrest. Most people find it that it only takes them 10 or 20 minutes to complete the application. Since our bail expert has already discussed the situation, it doesn’t take long to approve the online bail application.

Once you’ve completed the application, we review it and discuss bail bond payment plans. At this point, you’ll be sent a copy of the contract that you’ll have to sign. You can do this by either using an electronic signature program or by printing the contract, signing it and scanning the newly signed form. In addition to the signed contract, we’ll also need a photo of your driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

How Long Before Your Loved One is Free?

We can’t predict how long it will take the courthouse to file the paperwork, but we can assure you that as soon as we approve your bail contract, we work as quickly as possible to pay your loved one’s bail and get them released from jail. In most cases, the entire bail process doesn’t take long at all.

Why Choose Our Services?

In addition to creating a simple, straightforward online bail bonds program, there are several other reasons you should consider using Action Bail Bonding when you or someone you love requires Tennessee bail.

Additional reasons to contact Action Bail Bonding 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 people on hand who speak Spanish.

Here at Action Bail Bonding, we’ve done everything in our power to make the entire bail process as fast and stress-free as possible.

For a FREE bail consultation with a professional bail agent and to get additional information about how our online bail program works, just call Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 or click Talk To An Agent Now to chat.

 

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May 18 2021
How You Should And Shouldn’t Conduct Yourself In Court

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How you represent yourself in your court hearing is nearly as important as the case your lawyer is making. Your body language, dress, and overall presentation, speaks volumes to the jury, the judge, and others. Granted, some defendants will not be able to present themselves as neatly and professionally as others because they were not able to post bail, but our team at Action Bail Bonding will make sure that is not you. We will help bail you out of jail. Then, you will be able to live at home and better prepare for court. After posting bail with us, follow these general rules of how you should and shouldn’t conduct yourself in court.

  • The night before court, try and get some good sleep.

  • Dress professionally and conservatively, do not overdo the makeup and jewelry.

  • Remove sunglasses and hats.

  • Do not chew gum.

  • Arrive to court early and use the restroom before court begins.

  • Acknowledge the judge as “Your Honor.”

  • Speak and stand when asked to.

  • Answer only what you are asked.

  • Answer yes or no verbally rather than nodding or shaking your head.

  • Turn your cell phone off.

  • Leave young children at home.

  • Remain calm and poised; do not become angry or argumentative.

You and your lawyer will go over court procedures beforehand as preparation, including questions they will ask, questions the prosecution will likely ask, and how to answer both. During court, your lawyer will protect you as much as possible, but remember to leave everything in their hands and not get frustrated.

That being said, if you need a bail bond now, for yourself or a loved one, contact Action Bail Bonding immediately. We can be reached 24/7, online and at 901-476-2245. Consultation with one of our helpful bail agents is always FREE, so do not hesitate to ask any questions and inquire about our no down payment bail bonds and discounts we offer. They will be more than glad to help you.

To learn more about our services, feel free to call Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 or Chat With Us now. Consultation is FREE!

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May 5 2021
Consequences Of Ignoring A Jury Summons

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The idea of a jury sounds like a great aspect of democracy right up to the point when you get a jury summons. It’s perfectly natural to wonder what would happen if you choose to ignore the letter telling you that you need to report to the courthouse and be considered for jury duty.

While ignoring a summons to appear for jury duty might not seem like a big deal to you, state’s are starting to really crack down on those who do. The exact consequences of skipping out on a jury summons can vary from one district to another, most courts will issue a bench warrant. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the cops will knock on your door, but it does mean that if you get pulled over, when the patrol officer runs your name through their computer system, they’ll discover the warrant and arrest you on the spot.

Even if you get lucky enough to never cross paths with a police officer after a failure to appear for jury duty bench warrant has been issued, the bench warrant can have an enormous and negative impact on your life. There’s been at least one report of someone from Tennessee getting denied when they tried to rent an apartment. When the person investigated the reason, they found that skipping jury duty resulted in a bench warrant that had popped up when the landlord ran a background check. That person hadn’t even lived in Tennessee when the court sent the summons. It took some time, but the individual was able to prove that they hadn’t been a Tennessee resident. They worked closely with the Tennessee state patrol and were eventually able to get the bench warrant dropped.

In Georgia, a woman who ignored a jury summons was sentenced to three days in jail. In Massachusetts, approximately 48,000 residents were charged a $2,000 fine after they failed to obey a jury summons.

A recent report indicated that Action County collected more than $940,000 from people who didn’t honor a request to sit on a jury.

When all is said and done, it’s in your best interest to obey the jury summons. If you have a exceptionally good reason for not being able to honor the request, talk to the judge. They may accept your excuse and let you off the hook.

 

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May 5 2021
Can Police Search My Vehicle Without A Warrant?

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Pretty much every driver has experienced the slight panic of seeing a police car behind them while driving even if they haven’t done anything wrong. That shows how much people don’t want to get pulled over. On those occasions where people are pulled over, they can then find themselves worrying about the officer searching through their vehicle.

Despite what people might think, police officers and other law enforcement officers cannot just search a vehicle without reason or a warrant. This is a protection granted to every United States citizen under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. The Fourth Amendment prohibits law enforcement agents from conducting unreasonable searches and seizures. The amendment also sets forth guidelines for how warrants are issued.

When Is A Warrant Unnecessary?

If a law enforcement officer ever wants to search anything, including a person’s vehicle, they usually need a warrant. However, there are 5 instances when a warrant isn’t required for an officer to conduct a legal search of a vehicle. These instances are:

  1. Consent was given.
    If a driver gives the officer their consent, then the officer can search the vehicle without a warrant. The consent for the search has to be given voluntarily, not under duress from threats by the officer.

  2. There is probable cause.
    Probable cause is when the officers have reliable information from an informant, can see contraband in the car or the driver is acting suspiciously. In these instances, an officer can search the vehicle without a warrant since they have evidence that would have earned a warrant, but they had to act quickly because vehicles can be easily moved.

  3. An occupant is being arrested.
    If someone in the car is being arrested and the officer have reason to believe there is evidence in the vehicle, then they can search it without a warrant. This also applies if someone being arrested was within reaching distance of a vehicle and the officer suspect the person may have hidden something within it.

  4. An occupant is being temporarily detained.
    Otherwise known as stop-and-frisks or Terry stops, these occur when officers reasonably suspect a person of being involved in criminal activity. The officers are allowed to temporarily detain the person and search them or their vehicle for any weapons or drugs.

  5. The car has been impounded.
    Law enforcement officers are allowed to search vehicles that have been impounded to take inventory of the vehicle.

If a person’s vehicle is searched without a warrant for any reason other than those mentioned above, then the search was illegal and any evidence that may have been found within the vehicle will have to be ignored during the trial.

They Need A Warrant

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution was created by the Founding Fathers to protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures that were commonly conducted by occupying British forces at the time. They wanted to ensure that US law enforcement agents didn’t become as corrupt as their enemies had been.

If a driver is ever pulled over, they should know that unless the officer has good reason to suspect them of any wrongdoing, the officer cannot search the vehicle without a warrant. To do so would be against the law, and therefore any evidence that the officer may have found could be dismissed in the court case since it was acquired by illegal means.

 

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May 3 2021
The Truth About Unemployment Fraud

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Unemployment fraud in Tennessee is hardly a new concept, but the pandemic has pushed it to new heights which have resulted in it overwhelming an already strained system.

What Is Unemployment Fraud In Tennessee?

The term unemployment fraud refers to the act of collecting unemployment benefits that you don’t really deserve.

Common examples of unemployment fraud include:

  • Continuing to collect unemployment benefits after you’ve returned to work.

  • Providing false information on your unemployment application.

  • Failing to report earnings from a part-time or freelance job.

  • Lying about how much you earned during an average workweek prior to applying for unemployment.

  • Using a false identity when applying for unemployment benefits.

The Impact Of Unemployment Fraud During The Pandemic

Since the pandemic hit, unemployment fraud cases have sky-rocketed. The Labor Department estimates that 10% of the unemployment benefits paid out during the pandemic have gone to people who don’t really need it and who are actually committing unemployment fraud. 10% doesn’t seem like much until you find out that it exceeds $63 billion.

While all states are struggling to deal with The Truth About Unemployment Fraud, Tennessee has been hit particularly hard. Experts estimate that fraudulent scams have resulted in draining approximately $11 billion dollars of unemployment money in Tennessee. Another $19 billion has gone into suspicious-looking accounts that require additional investigation.

Consequences Of Unemployment Fraud In Tennessee

If you’re currently collecting unemployment benefits that you’re not technically entitled to, don’t assume that you’ll get away with it forever. Even if no one has looked too closely at your situation right now, it’s reasonable to assume that once the pandemic is over, steps will be taken to crack down on unemployment fraud. It’s likely that many cases that were filed during the pandemic will be investigated and charges will be filed.

Tennessee’s Employment Development Department (EDD) is responsible for investigating unemployment fraud cases. They are experts at this type of white-collar crime and are meticulous about combing through unemployment applications, tax records, and financial histories and looking for signs of unemployment fraud. If they feel that they’ve collected enough evidence to mount a solid case against you, they work with the local prosecutor and file charges.

Unemployment fraud is one of Tennessee’s wobbler offenses. If you collected less than $950, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor. If the amount is more than $950, you face felony charges.

If you’re found guilty of misdemeanor unemployment fraud, you face:

  • Having to make full restitution
  • Six months in jail
  • A $1,000 fine

If you’re convicted of felony unemployment fraud, you’ll face:

  • Having to make full restitution
  • A $10,000 fine
  • Spending a year in prison

The best way to avoid an unemployment fraud charge is to be completely honest about your work, income, and job application history. If you discover that you made a mistake on your unemployment application, report the issue right away.

 

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Apr 22 2021
Difference Between Infraction, Misdemeanor And Felony

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The terms “infraction,” “misdemeanor,” and “felony” have probably flown across your ears every now and then – from video games to television to movies to the morning news. But do you understand the differences between the three? Some people may think they are simply synonyms for each other. But, they are not and it is important for all Tennessee residents to understand the differences to these charges:

  • INFRACTION – fines must be paid but the defendant will not be put on probation and they will not face jail time. Infractions do not appear on criminal records.

  • MISDEMEANOR – fines must be paid and the defendant is subject to probation and up to 1 year in county jail.

  • FELONY – fines must be paid and the defendant is subject to probation, up to 1 year in county jail, and 1 year or more in state prison.

Simply knowing these consequences should hopefully be enough to steer you away from potential trouble. But if you are ever in need of a bail bondsman in Tennessee, Action Bail Bonding is ready to help. The company has offices all over the state and with over 30 years of experience in reuniting loved ones, they can help you too!

You can reach Action Bail Bonding 901-476-2245 or click Talk To An Agent Now to chat and get your FREE consultation.

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