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 8 2021
Community Service In Criminal Cases

Community Service In Criminal Cases

Many people find that they have to complete a specific number of hours of community service as a part of their sentence. Some people love this because the community service can reduce fines and jail time. Others hate having to do so much work without getting paid.

Judges have the right to make community service a part of a sentence. Sometimes the community service replaces fines, jail time, and probation. In other cases, it’s used in tandem with the other consequences.

Community service has become so popular amongst judges that some large communities discovered that they had to hire another person and even create whole new county offices just to help with the community service portion of sentencing. These separate offices help people find promising community service opportunities, track hours, and make sure everything is properly reported to the sentencing judge.

The great thing about community service is that there are lots of different options. The only stipulation is that the work has to be done in connection with a non-profit organization and that you don’t get paid for it. You can choose to complete all of the hours by working with a single non-profit or you can divide your time up with multiple organizations.

Some communities also have government programs that qualify as community service.

When you find out that you need to complete X amount of hours of community service, the first thing you need to do is sit down and think about what you like. The entire process will be more enjoyable if you’re doing work you like or at least working for a cause you’re passionate about.

Popular community service choices include:

  • Helping out at animal rescues.
  • Assisting at homeless shelters.
  • Helping organize non-profit events, such as awareness runs, and festivals.
  • Community improvement/beautification projects.
  • Speaking to school groups.

The list goes on and on.

Once you’ve identified the type of work you’d like to do, it’s time to contact the non-profits and find out their requirements. Make it clear that the volunteering work you’re doing is for the courts. Some non-profits choose not to track hours for the courts. Others require a background check that you won’t pass because you have a criminal record.

If the first non-profit you contact doesn’t work out, contact another one until you find one that’s happy to accept you.

Create a schedule and stick to it. You want to complete your community service hours as quickly as possible so that the judge doesn’t revisit your sentencing and decide you’re shirking your responsibilities. If for some reason, you do run into a problem and won’t be able to complete the required number of hours by the court-appointed deadline, you need to contact the court and let them know. It’s likely that as long as you can prove that you’re making a genuine effort they’ll choose to extend your deadline.

Be diligent about recording the number of hours you’ve worked at your community service project. Get the person who is supervising you to sign off on your time after each session. Turn the information to the court.

The great thing about community service is that you can sometimes use it to make important new connections, develop skills, and possibly even find a program you want to continue helping even after you’ve fulfilled your community service requirements.

 

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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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Feb 17 2021
What Appears On Background Checks?

What Appears On Background Checks?

Your skills qualify you for the job you are interviewing for and you hit it off with your interviewer. They tell you that unofficially, you have the job. They just need to do a background check and get the paperwork in order. Once everything clears, you are hired! However, you are worried that your potential employer will discover something on your background check that will put you in jeopardy of getting the position.

Background checks are standard procedure for job positions. They are also standard for other needs, like trying to get a home or an apartment. They are legal to do so, as long as the company complies with the federal and state laws on conducting background checks. The employer just wants to know if you have once been arrested for a crime. When they conduct the background check, misdemeanors and felonies that have occurred in the last 7 years will show up.

Infractions and any crimes that you were charged for that occurred over 7 years ago will not show up on your background check.

Additionally, if you received a pardon on a conviction, then that conviction will not show up on a background check.

Sealed and expunged records will also not appear on background checks. Also, if you had successfully completed a diversion program because of an arrest, then that arrest does not show up on your record either.

The chances of the employer denying you a job purely because of your criminal record is slim. If you are worried, you can discuss your concerns, but only if the employer brings up the topic.

Having a criminal history is not going hold you back from getting a job or home. Do not stress about that. If anything, it proves you dealt with something big and you managed to get through it professionally and maturely. That is a positive way to look at it and hopefully your potential employers will think the same as well.

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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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Feb 5 2021
What Are Your Rights When You’re Pulled Over?

What Are Your Rights When You’re Pulled Over?

A whole lot of things can happen while a person is driving. One thing that most drivers would prefer to avoid is getting pulled over. Unfortunately, sometimes things happen, and the driver makes a mistake. Sometimes, as far as the driver knows, they didn’t do anything wrong but find themselves getting pulled over anyways.

When a person gets pulled over, it is important for them to remember that they do have rights. These rights help protect a person from an officer who might be abusing their power. If a person’s rights are violated, they can take the matter to court.

Passenger Rights During The Stop

When someone has been pulled over by the police, they have two primary rights:

  • The right to remain silent.

  • The right to be free from unreasonable search and seizures.

The first right is pretty well known thanks to the Miranda Rights, but many people are not fully aware that a person does not have to be arrested for it to come into effect. Even when a person is being stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation, they have the right to remain silent. If a person chooses to do this, they should inform the officer that they are choosing to remain silent. It is also a good idea for the person to give the officer their name.

The 4th Amendment to the Constitution protects everyone from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means that a police officer cannot search a person, their vehicle or even their phone without good reason. If an officer suspects that a person has a weapon on them or contraband such as drugs, then they can search the person and their vehicle. However, officers do need a warrant to search a person’s phone, and they cannot delete anything off of the device.

Both of these rights apply to passengers as well. Passengers can even have an additional right of being able to leave, since it is the driver who got pulled over. However, they need to ask the officer if they are free to go. If they are given permission to leave, they can.

Passenger Rights After The Stop

After a person has been stopped, they have the following rights:

  • The right to challenge the legality of the stop in court.

  • The right to challenge the legality of any searches in court.

If a person feels that their rights were violated during a traffic stop, they should write down as much information as they can. This means writing down the officer’s badge number and their patrol car number. They should also write down which agency they are from. Was the officer with the police, a sheriff or Tennessee Highway Patrol (CHP)? If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information. If there were any injuries, the person should take photographs of those injuries. Lastly, the person should file a written complaint with the department’s internal affairs.

If the person is still concerned with how they were treated, they can take the matter to court.

Drivers Have Rights

No driver ever wants to get pulled over, but sometimes things happen. If a driver is pulled over, they need to remember that they do have rights. They can exercise those rights without fear of repercussion. If an officer does infringe on a driver’s rights, that driver can take the matter to court and seek compensation that way.

Just as important as knowing your rights is knowing how to pullover when a law enforcement officer stops you. If you want to know more about how to properly pull over and behave during a traffic stop, click here.

What do you think about your rights when being pulled over?

Have they ever been violated? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.

 

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Feb 5 2021
How To Appear And Conduct In Court

How To Appear And Conduct In Court

  • Arrive to your court hearing a few minutes early.

  • Dress appropriately like you are going for an interview. Avoid flashy jewelry and distracting, revealing, and unkempt clothing items.

  • Remove hats and sunglasses.

  • Do not chew gum.

  • Sit and stand straight.

  • Speak and answer only when you are asked.

  • Speak clearly.

  • Say “yes” and “no” rather than nodding and shaking your head.

  • Remain calm and collected. Do not grow angry and argumentative.

  • Turn your cell phone off.

  • If you have young children who would not be in school at the moment, arrange to have someone babysit them at home.

  • Trust your lawyer and let them do the talking, unless you are asked to speak.

  • Use the bathroom before court begins.

  • Be respectful. Address the judge by “Your Honor.”

These are tips on how one should appear and conduct themselves in court. As a defendant accused of a crime, these will help show the court that you are taking this matter seriously. Body language and appearance can influence the court.

If you are out on bail, you will have a better time prepping for court, both in your appearance and also in your case. Posting bail is easy when Action Bail Bonding is involved. So, if you or a loved one ever need a bail bond, please contact Action Bail Bonding online or by calling 901-476-2245. We offer FREE consultation, so talk to one of our helpful bail agents and ask about our zero down bail bonds and discounts we offer along with your other bail-related questions. We are a 24/7 bail bond company that is always ready to assist and help you with all your bail bond needs.

Call Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 and get your FREE consultation or Chat With Us now.

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