Bradley County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Bradley County bail and bond help: jail, court, and the steps to release
Adults arrested in Bradley County are held at the Bradley County Jail in the Justice Complex on Blythe Avenue SE in Cleveland. To learn whether someone is in custody, what the charge is, and what the bond is, use Bradley County Inmate Search. For anything the search cannot show, call the Sheriff's Office at 423-728-7300. The sections below explain bond, the bondsman option, and the court steps in plain language.
1. Is my relative sitting in the Bradley County jail right now?
Run Bradley County Inmate Search first. It shows who is in custody, the charge, and the bond amount when one is set. New bookings can take a short while to show up. If the name still has not appeared after a few hours, call the information desk at 423-728-7300 and give the full legal name and date of birth.
2. Where is the jail, and what number do I call?
The Bradley County Jail is part of the Bradley County Justice Complex, 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311. The Sheriff's Office information desk is 423-728-7300 and the non-emergency line is 423-728-7311. Sheriff Steve Lawson runs the office. Everything else on this page refers to it as the Sheriff's Office.
3. Do deputies at the jail decide how much the bond is?
No. A magistrate or judge sets bail after looking at the person's record, job, and ties to the area. Deputies carry out the order. Tennessee law says each person gets an individual bond decision, so a deputy cannot hand out a pre-set number.
4. How soon does a Cleveland arrest get in front of a judge?
Tennessee court rules require that an arrested person be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay. In Bradley County the first hearings are in General Sessions Court. The two judges' offices answer at 423-728-7092 and 423-728-7091.
5. What does a bondsman really cost in Bradley County?
Expect the premium to run near 10 percent of the bond for a Tennessee resident. A bondsman may tack on a one-time $25 fee and a $12 bail tax. Get a receipt for every charge before signing.
6. Is a full cash payment to the court an option here?
Yes. A cash bond is the entire bond amount, paid to the court. It is a deposit, so it comes back after the case ends, less fines and court costs. Tennessee clerks may take debit cards or payment apps and pass the processing fee to you.
7. What should I have in hand before I try to post a [BOND]?
Bring a photo ID, the full legal name of the person in custody, and the exact bond amount from the search. If you plan to use a bondsman, bring the money for the premium too. Call 423-728-7300 before you drive over and ask how the jail wants payment handed over.
8. Can a house or land guarantee a Bradley County bond?
Yes. A bond can be secured by real estate located in the state. The court must review the deed and the value, so it takes longer than cash. Ask the clerk which forms and proof the court wants before you start.
9. Can Bradley County release someone without any money?
Sometimes. State law tells the court to look first at release on a promise to appear or an unsecured bond. Judges weigh work, family ties, and past record. Money bail is meant for cases where lighter conditions will not bring the person back.
10. Who handles a felony case once it leaves General Sessions?
After indictment the case moves to Circuit Court. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office is at 423-728-7214 and keeps the case files, bonds, and court dates. Call there for a docket question that the search does not answer.
11. Why did a family-violence arrest take so long to clear?
Tennessee law holds a person arrested for stalking, child or elder abuse, or certain domestic offenses for 12 hours unless the official finds no threat to the victim. In some aggravated assault cases the hold can reach 24 hours. Before release the court orders no contact, and some cases add GPS monitoring.
12. The person was picked up in Cleveland or Charleston. Does that matter?
Both are cities inside Bradley County. Tell the jail desk which police department made the arrest so the booking record and any local hold match. The bond steps are the same for a city arrest or a deputy arrest.
13. A minor was taken into custody in Cleveland. Who do I call?
Juvenile cases are handled apart from adult court. The Bradley County Juvenile Detention Center is at 1620 Johnson Boulevard, Cleveland, and its number is 423-728-7098. An adult search may show nothing for a minor, so call that number.
14. The screen says no bond. Can that change?
Possibly. The Tennessee Constitution allows bail for every defendant except those charged with capital offenses. A no-bond entry can also mean a hold from another county, a probation violation, or an amount not yet set. Ask a lawyer to request a hearing.
15. What happens if the person misses a Bradley County court date?
The court can declare the bond forfeited and order the person's arrest. Call the clerk that same day and call a lawyer. A bondsman on the bond may also return the person to custody.
16. Do I get cash bond money back after the case?
Yes, if you posted cash. The clerk returns the deposit after the case ends and the person is discharged. Fines, court costs, and restitution may be taken out first.
17. Could a call about bail be a scam?
Yes. No law enforcement office asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or payment-app money by phone. A caller who says bail was lowered and pushes you toward a kiosk is not the jail. Hang up and dial the Sheriff's Office number on this page.
18. How do I get a lawyer or a lower bond in Bradley County?
If the person cannot afford a lawyer, the court may appoint the public defender. The office for this district is at 423-478-0348. A lawyer can ask the judge to review the bond at the first hearing.
Bradley County bond contacts
- Jail
- Bradley County Jail, Bradley County Justice Complex, 2290 Blythe Avenue SE, Cleveland, TN 37311; 423-728-7300
- Bail and bond guide
- Jail bail and bond page
- Sheriff's Office
- Information desk 423-728-7300; non-emergency 423-728-7311
- Custody lookup
- Bradley County Inmate Search
- General Sessions judges
- 423-728-7092 and 423-728-7091
- Circuit Court Clerk
- 423-728-7214
- County Clerk
- 423-728-7226
- Juvenile detention
- 1620 Johnson Boulevard, Cleveland; 423-728-7098
- Public defender
- 10th Judicial District, 423-478-0348
Amounts, fees, and office hours can be changed by a court order. Check a specific case with the jail or a clerk before handing over money. This page offers general information, not legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Bradley County Jail
The Bradley County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Bradley County.
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
- You can always pay a cash bond yourself, or use your home in Bradley County, or in some cases the state of Tennessee, but the benefit of using a bail bond agent is that they take responsibility for making sure the inmate shows up for court in Bradley County, and if they don't, then they take the financial responsibility.
- The typical fee for a bond in Tennessee is between 10-20% of the bail amount; usually 15% or less. So if an offender has a bail of $10,000.00, their bond will be $1,500.00.
- Pay by cash, cashier's check, money order or credit card at the Bradley County Jail, or the courthouse in Bradley County where the offense took place.
Call 423-728-7367 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Bradley County inmate locator.
Bradley County Jail
Address:
2290 Blythe Avenue South East
Cleveland, TN 37311
Phone:
423-728-7367
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Bradley County
Does Bradley County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Bradley County?
Who can set bail in Bradley County?
When is bail set in Bradley County Tennessee?
Does Bradley County have bail?
Yes, Bradley County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Bradley County?
Bradley County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Bradley County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Bradley County Tennessee?
Bail is set during the defendant’s first court hearing, also known as a bail hearing. This court appearance will be scheduled within 72 hrs. of arrest not counting weekends or holidays.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in Bradley County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Tennessee feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Bradley County Jail until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different. The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions. Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Bradley County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
What are the different types of bonds in Bradley County?
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid.
Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.
Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
A Transfer Bond is transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states. In addition to the 10% fee, there is a transfer fee owed to the bonding company between $50-$100.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Does Bradley County have bail?
Yes, Bradley County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Bradley County?
Bradley County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Who can set bail in Bradley County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Tennessee?
Bail is set during the defendant’s first court hearing, also known as a bail hearing. This court appearance will be scheduled within 72 hrs. of arrest not counting weekends or holidays.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Bradley County Tennessee?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Bradley County Tennessee, who can pay bail for me?
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Tennessee could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Can bail be paid online in Bradley County Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Bradley County Jail for more information about the jails in Bradley County.
What options are there to pay bail in Bradley County Tennessee?
Most all jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Bradley County Jail for more information about posting bail in Bradley County.
Will I get all my bond money back in Tennessee?
Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount. If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 10% back. Property is returned by the court or bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Bradley County?
No, unless released on own recognizance you will be required to pay some money down to secure bail.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Tennessee?
The Bradley County Jail or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company. You are not obligated to use the first company available and can call several companies to compare what kind of bonds that the bondsperson is willing to execute.
The percentage of bail that the bond company can charge is set, usually at 10%, by the state and cannot be negotiated.