If you have been charged with a crime in Tennessee, the court may set a bond amount that you must pay before you will be released from jail. In some instances, this bail amount may be too high based on the crime that you are charged with or that you cannot afford. To reduce the amount of bond, your criminal defense lawyer can file a motion with the court to reduce bond.

Under Tennessee law, the court consider the following factors when considering bond amounts and any possible reductions:

Length of Residence in the Community

The court looks to the ties that you have with the community when making decisions regarding bond. If you are a native of Tennessee, your bond amount may be lower than if you had recently arrived in the area from another state. If you leave the state, it can be very expensive and cumbersome on law enforcement to try to bring you back into the state. Therefore, if there is little risk that you will leave the area, your lawyer may be able to convince the judge to reduce the bond.

Employment Status and Financial Condition

The court also considers whether the defendant is currently employed. Employment is another relevant tie to the community.

Family Ties

The court considers whether you are married, have children or have close family relationships. Individuals with family ties to the area may be more likely to want to resolve the criminal charges.

Reputation, Character and Mental Condition

Your criminal defense lawyer may call friends, family members or others to testify about your reputation, character or mental condition.

Prior Criminal History

A significant factor in bond determinations is the extent of any prior criminal history. If you have a long criminal history, the bond may be higher. If it is your first criminal charge, the bond amount may be lower.

Nature of the Offense

The nature of the offense is also a significant factor in making decisions about the bond. The more serious the charge, the higher the bond tends to be. The court can also consider the probability of a conviction in the case.

Danger to the Community

The court also considers whether the defendant's prior criminal history poses a risk of danger to the community.

Community Members Who Vouch for the Defendant

The court considers the identity of the community members who vouch for the defendant. Your employer, family members or friends may testify at the bail hearing about their relationship with you and your trustworthiness to appear at later hearings in the case.

Flight Risk

The court can consider any other factor that may relate to whether or not you will likely appear at future court dates.

Contact an experienced Murfreesboro criminal defense lawyer for help with bond reduction

It is important that you be able to secure bond so that you can be more involved in your defense. Understanding how to have your bond reduced requires experience and knowledge of criminal laws. Our Murfreesboro criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience in representing clients at bail hearings and all stages of the criminal defense process. Contact us online or call us at 615-890-1982 to find out how we can help with your bond determination.