Carroll County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Carroll County bail and bond: what to do when someone is held in Huntingdon
Adults arrested in Carroll County are held at the Carroll County Jail, run by the Sheriff's Office at 200 Norandal Drive, Huntingdon. The jail answers at 731-986-1906, and the Sheriff's Office at 731-986-8947. Start with Carroll County Inmate Search to learn whether the person is booked, what the charges are, and what bond has been set. If the search does not answer your question, the numbers on this page lead to the right clerk.
Where will the person be kept while the case is pending?
Carroll County runs its own jail in Huntingdon, so pretrial inmates stay in the county. The Sheriff's Office operates it from 200 Norandal Drive. Call 731-986-1906 if you need the jail itself, and 731-986-8947 for the Sheriff's Office.
What is the quickest way to learn the bond amount?
Open Carroll County Inmate Search and look at the booking line. A bond that has not been set yet will not show a figure, and the entry will update after a judicial officer acts. A hold from another court or agency may also keep a person in jail even with a posted bond.
Who is allowed to set a bond in this county?
A judicial officer sets it, and the General Sessions judge can review it later. Jail staff can release someone only after a bond exists, and they may not use a fixed price chart in place of a decision about the person in front of them. Ask the Sheriff's Office about timing at 731-986-8947.
What does the judge think about before choosing a number?
Length of time in the county, work record, family, earlier court attendance, the seriousness of the charge, the likely sentence, and danger to others all count. A trustworthy community member can speak up for the defendant, though one person may vouch for no more than two defendants. Lawful presence in Tennessee is part of the picture.
May the court let the person go on a promise alone?
It must consider that option first. Tennessee law directs judges toward release on recognizance or an unsecured bond, then toward the mildest set of conditions that still ensures attendance. Only after that may a judge ask for money. A defense lawyer can press the point.
How is cash bail different from a bondsman's charge?
With cash bail you pay the court the whole bond. With a bondsman you pay a non-refundable premium, which is about ten percent for a Tennessee resident. A cash deposit comes back after the case is finished, less fines and costs. The premium does not come back.
Which extra fees can show up in a bondsman contract?
State law lets a bondsman collect a $25 initiation fee and a $12 bail tax. A person who lives outside Tennessee may pay ten to fifteen percent. Ask for duplicate receipts, and a written receipt describing any collateral and how you get it back.
Which bondsmen can write a bond in Carroll County?
Only licensed ones. The state Board of Professional Bondsmen grants the license, and the court in the 24th Judicial District must also approve the company. A bondsman cannot drag your relative back to jail on a whim; good cause is required.
Can a family pledge land, or ask friends to sign?
Land in Tennessee can secure a bond. A written agreement signed by two sufficient sureties who are not bondsmen or attorneys also works. Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 731-986-1932 to find out how the court wants the papers filed.
Which clerk handles what?
The General Sessions criminal clerk takes calls at 731-986-1926. The Circuit Court Clerk is at 731-986-1932, and the Circuit criminal clerk is at 731-986-1927. The County Clerk, at 731-986-1960, deals with licenses and records, not bonds.
Where do I go for county government offices in Huntingdon?
The county mayor's office is at 625 High Street, Suite 101, Huntingdon, TN 38344, and its phone is 731-986-1936. The Sheriff's Office and jail are on Norandal Drive, a separate address. Phone ahead so you reach the correct building.
Can a person arrested for a felony ask for a hearing soon?
Yes. A felony defendant is entitled to a preliminary hearing, set within 14 days when the person is still in custody and 30 days when released. Both periods can be extended with the defendant's consent and good cause. No plea is taken at that first stage.
Why do some arrests come with a mandatory waiting period?
Stalking, child abuse, abuse of an older or vulnerable adult, and domestic cases with serious injury or a deadly weapon trigger a 12-hour hold, unless the official finds no threat to the victim. When strangulation or a weapon is involved in an aggravated assault, the hold can reach 24 hours.
What terms might a release order contain?
No contact with the victim, direct or indirect. No visits to the victim's home or workplace. No weapons, alcohol, or controlled drugs. GPS monitoring that the defendant pays for when able. The order is on a court form, and the defendant receives a copy at release.
Is bail ever denied outright?
Under the state constitution, a capital offense is the exception to the right to bail. Every other prisoner is bailable by sufficient sureties. Judges can still add strict conditions, so prepare for a hearing even when the charge is grave.
How do drunk-driving cases differ?
The court may order an ignition interlock for many DUI releases, and the proof of installation goes to the District Attorney within 10 days. Third and later alcohol offenses call for transdermal monitoring at the defendant's cost. Tampering with that device is a Class B misdemeanor.
What is the consequence of a skipped court date?
The judge can forfeit the bond and issue a capias. The surety is not on the hook for fines, costs, or restitution unless the bond says so and the surety consented. Contact the clerk right away to learn how to get back on the calendar.
How do I get a lawyer if money is tight?
The 24th Judicial District Public Defender covers Carroll County and answers at 731-584-3384. Tell the judge you want appointed counsel at the first appearance. That lawyer can request a lower bond or release on a promise.
Where is a juvenile taken after an arrest?
Youth cases follow a separate path from adult cases. Call the General Sessions clerk at 731-986-1926 for the hearing time and for the place where a detained young person is held. Names of juveniles are shielded, so the inmate search may not show them.
Does money sent to a jail account count as bail?
No. Funds for commissary or phone calls do not release anyone. Never pay a stranger who demands gift cards or a wire transfer. Verify any request by dialing the jail at 731-986-1906 yourself.
Carroll County bond contacts
- County jail
- Carroll County Jail, 200 Norandal Drive, Huntingdon, TN 38344; 731-986-1906
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond page
- Custody lookup
- Carroll County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's Office
- 731-986-8947
- General Sessions
- Criminal clerk 731-986-1926
- Circuit Court Clerk
- 731-986-1932; criminal clerk 731-986-1927
- Public defender
- 24th Judicial District; 731-584-3384
Bond amounts, fees, and hours can change with a court order. A court can alter bond amounts, fees, and hours at any time. Verify the details of your own case with a clerk before paying. Use it as a guide, and talk to a lawyer about the facts of your own case.
How do Bail Bonds work at Carroll County Jail
The Carroll County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County Jail, or the courthouse in Carroll County where the offense took place.
Call 731-986-1905 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Carroll County inmate locator.
Carroll County Jail
Address:
200 Norandal Drive
Huntingdon, TN 38344
Phone:
731-986-1905
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Carroll County
Does Carroll County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Carroll County?
Who can set bail in Carroll County?
When is bail set in Carroll County Tennessee?
Does Carroll County have bail?
Yes, Carroll County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Carroll County?
Carroll 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 Carroll County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll 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, Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County have bail?
Yes, Carroll County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Carroll County?
Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County Tennessee?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Carroll 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 Carroll County Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Carroll County Jail for more information about the jails in Carroll County.
What options are there to pay bail in Carroll 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 Carroll County Jail for more information about posting bail in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll 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.