Mar 26 2021
Understanding The Difference Between Aggravated Assault And Simple Assault

Understanding The Difference Between Aggravated Assault And Simple Assault

If you’re confused by the idea that in Tennessee has two different types of assault, simple and aggravated, you’re not alone. The state is full of people who don’t know the difference between these two criminal charges.

Throwing a punch at a guy who was irritating you while you were trying to enjoy a beer at your favorite bar is usually a simple assault. However, if you grabbed a knife or started swinging a pool stick, the charge will likely be bumped up to aggravated assault.

Aggravated assault is covered in Tennessee’s Penal Code Section 245. The way the law is written, aggravated assault takes place when an assault involves the use of a deadly weapon (including a gun). Don’t assume that just because you didn’t have a weapon in your hand that you can’t be charged with aggravated assault. The law is written in such a way that if the end goal of the assault was to kill, rob or rape your victim, you’ll be charged with aggravated assault.

The Punishment For Aggravated Assault In Tennessee

The penalties connected to aggravated assault are quite serious, particularly if you’re found guilty of felony aggravated assault.

If the assault was minor enough for you to only be charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault, you could potentially face:

  • One year in jail
  • Probation
  • The loss of the weapon you used during the assault
  • Community service
  • Restitution

It’s not uncommon for individuals who are found guilty of misdemeanor aggravated assault to be ordered to complete an anger management course.

The biggest difference in the penalties connected to misdemeanor and felony aggravated assault is that the sentence will likely be longer and you’ll have to serve it in state prison. You’ll also have to live with all the long term repercussions of having a felony record.

Felony aggravated assault is covered by Tennessee’s Three Strikes Law. The third time you’re convicted, the sentence is an automatic 25-life in state prison.

Defending Yourself From An Aggravated Assault Conviction

Proving you’re not guilty of aggravated assault isn’t easy, even though the burden of proof lies on the prosecution. You’re best lines of defense involve:

  • That you were defending yourself.
  • You have been falsely accused.
  • Lack of intent.

The best way to make sure you never have to defend yourself in a felony aggravated assault situation is to remove yourself from any potentially volatile situation you encounter while you’re armed with anything that could be considered a deadly weapon.

 

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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
Can I Have A Payment Plan To Pay For Bail?

Can I Have A Payment Plan To Pay For Bail?

When people need to make big expenses, they want to make sure they can truly afford the expense. This is especially important when it comes to rescuing a loved one from jail. You want to be able to afford the bail. Sadly bail, costs several thousands of dollars here in Tennessee. Luckily, Action Bail Bonding is here to make things more affordable.

One of the easiest ways we do that is by providing payment plans for our clients. With a payment plan, the cost of the bail bond, which is already 90% cheaper than the bail itself, becomes more manageable. The payment plan takes the bail bond and breaks it into smaller pieces that a person can actually afford.

Things get even better when you take into account the fact that we personalize all of our payment plans. Here at Action Bail Bonding, we understand that everyone is different and has their own, unique budget. That is why we make sure that the monthly payments work with each client’s budget.

If, for some reason, a client knows that they are going to be late with one of their payments, they can talk to their agent beforehand. We understand that things change and what might have been affordable a few months ago can be unaffordable this month. As long as our clients talk with us in advance, we are more than happy to work with them to make sure the bail bond remains affordable.

Aside from providing payment plans for our clients, we also provide all of the following for our clients.

  • 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

If you need to bail someone out of jail and want to make sure that you can afford to, contact Action Bail Bonding. We will provide you with a personalized payment plan that breaks down the cost of the bail bond and spreads it out over several months. With our help, you will be able to afford to rescue your loved one from jail.

To learn more about our services or simple get a FREE bail bond consultation, call Action Bail Bonding at 901-476-2245 or click Talk To An Agent Now to chat.

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Feb 17 2021
Choosing A Good Bail Bond Company

Choosing A Good Bail Bond Company

When you need help covering your bail, you don’t want to deal with some fly-by-the-night bail bond company who will take your money and disappear. You want to work with a family-owned company that will help you through this difficult time.

The problem is that if you have never been arrested, it’s difficult to know which bail bond company you should choose. The good news is that there are some things you can look for that will help you make the right decision.

Ask For Recommendations

Yes, you want to get out of jail as quickly as possible, but that doesn’t mean you should call the number that is scratched into the wall of your cell. You want to deal with a reputable Tennessee bail bond company. Instead of asking your fellow inmates for suggestions, talk to the people who knows. Your lawyer should have a few names. The detention officers should also be able to provide a few bail bond companies they like working with.

Look For A Bail Bond Company With A History

Bail bond companies that have been serving Tennessee for several years are usually your best bet. The fact that they have been around for decades indicates that they are fair and legit. They also have the knowledge and connections needed to quickly secure your release from jail.

Demand Excellent Customer Service

When you contact a bail bond company, you shouldn’t get the impression that they’re not concerned about your well-being. Remember, you’re the customer. They should treat you as such. The person you speak to when you initially contact the bail company should provide you with some basic information about the business, answer any bail-related questions you have, and give you the impression that they are working with you. You shouldn’t feel pressured to sign with them. They should invite you to take your time so you can consider all of your options.

Why You Should Consider Our Services

Action Bail Bonding is a family-owned bail bond company in Tennessee that has been helping people with bail since 1987. We can help you too!

Our 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

If you or someone you know needs fast, reliable, and affordable bail bond service that you can truly trust, it is in your best interest to contact Action Bail Bonding. With us on your side, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.

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 5 2021
The Difference Between A Juvenile And An Adult

The Difference Between A Juvenile And An Adult

It’s difficult to keep track of the number of times someone on a procedural show struggles to figure out if a young person should be charged as an adult or as a juvenile. Considering how many times television shows and movies use the conundrum as a plot device, it’s easy to fall into the habit of assuming that the Tennessee legal system routinely grapples with the same issue.

While there are cases where a prosecutor isn’t sure if they should charge someone as a juvenile or an adult, in most situations, the answer is clear.

In most cases, anyone who is under the age of 14 can not be charged as an adult. If a suspect is over the age of fourteen, but not yet eighteen, there are situations where they will face adult charges. The state has already laid out these situations.

Situations where a minor who is over the age of 14 can be charged as an adult include:

  • Attempted murder
  • Arson (that involves bodily harm or a building that’s inhabited, death)
  • Assault with a firearm
  • Carjacking
  • Discharging a gun into an inhabited building
  • Drive-by-shooting
  • Manufacturing/distributing/selling half an ounce or more of a controlled substance
  • Murder
  • Rape that involves threatening violence
  • Robbery
  • Sodomy involving lack of consent and bodily harm/threat of violence
  • Performing a lewd or lascivious act on a child who is under 14
  • Oral copulation involving lack of consent and bodily harm/threat of violence
  • Kidnapping for ransom
  • Kidnapping for robbery
  • Kidnapping for sexual assault
  • Kidnapping that involves bodily harm/threat of violence
  • Violating Section 1203.09 of the Penal Code
  • Violent felony acts that violate Penal Code 186.22(b)
  • Torture
  • Aggravated mayhem
  • Voluntary manslaughter

For the between 14 & 17-year-old suspect to be charged as an adult, the prosecutor must prove that the suspect was the one who actually committed the crimes. They can’t have merely been involved with the situation.

The worst thing about a minor getting charged as an adult for a serious crime is that they can’t use their age to obtain a more lenient sentence. Once the decision has been made to charge the minor as an adult, the young suspect faces the same type of sentencing older suspects face. In the case of serious felonies, this could include life in prison with the possibility of parole.

While the idea of charging someone as young as fifteen for an adult crime, like murder, might seem harsh. The hope is that knowing they could be charged as an adult and face severe consequences will discourage kids from attempting some extremely serious crimes and ruining their lives forever.

 

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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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