Lauderdale County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds
Lauderdale County bail and bond: Ripley, Henning, Halls, and Gates
People arrested in Lauderdale County are held at the Lauderdale County Jail in Ripley, the county seat. The Sheriff's Office answers at 731-635-1311. Check Lauderdale County Inmate Search to see whether the person is booked, what the charges are, and whether a bond is set. Then use the guide below to decide between cash, a bondsman, or property. Paying the wrong person costs money that is hard to get back.
1. My cousin was picked up in Henning. How do I find out where they are?
Use Lauderdale County Inmate Search and search the last name, because the Ripley jail holds the county's pretrial inmates. Henning, Halls, Gates, and Ripley are the four towns. If nothing shows, call 731-635-1311 and ask the desk whether the booking is complete.
2. Does the Lauderdale County Sheriff set bond?
No. Sheriff Rick Singleton leads the office that runs the jail, but the amount comes from a judge or magistrate who reviews each case alone. Deputies cannot trade a lower number for a payment. Only the court can change the bond once it is set.
3. How soon will someone see a judge?
Tennessee requires that an arrested person be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay. At that hearing the judge explains the charge, the right to a lawyer, and the right to remain silent, and then addresses release. Check Lauderdale County Inmate Search after the hearing, because the bond line updates.
4. What kind of release does the court try first?
The court must look at release on a promise to appear, or an unsecured bond, before it asks for money. It weighs how long the person has lived in the area, work, family, and record. Money bail comes only if lighter conditions will not reasonably secure the person's return.
5. Is it cheaper to use a bondsman or pay cash?
Cash is the full bond, and the clerk returns it at the end of the case after fines and costs. A bondsman costs about 10 percent of the bond for a Tennessee resident, plus a $25 fee and a $12 tax, and that premium is the cost of the service. Choose cash if you can afford to wait for the refund.
6. What should I watch for before signing with a bondsman?
Read the contract for collateral, and ask for a receipt that describes every item held and how to get it back. A bondsman cannot give up on the bond or return the person to jail without good cause. Licensing comes from the state Board of Professional Bondsmen, and the court in the 25th Judicial District must approve each bondsman.
7. Can I put up a farm or house in Lauderdale County?
A farm, lot, or house in Tennessee can back a bond. So can a written agreement signed by two people who are not professional bondsmen. Property takes longer than cash, so ask the Circuit Court Clerk at 731-635-0101 what the judge requires before you pull deeds.
8. Where do I take payment or paperwork?
The Circuit Court Clerk's office is at 675 Highway 51 South, Ripley, 731-635-0101. The Clerk and Master is at 100 Court Square, Ripley, 731-635-1941, and handles chancery matters. Bring photo ID and the case number to either counter.
9. Who hears General Sessions cases?
The General Sessions judge's office is at 731-635-2572. General Sessions handles most arrests first and sets early hearings. Felonies move up to a grand jury and the criminal court afterward. Write down every date and courtroom.
10. The jail shows no bond. Is the person stuck?
Not necessarily. The state constitution says prisoners are bailable by sufficient sureties unless the offense is capital. A no-bond entry can mean the judge has not set a figure, a hold from another place, or a probation matter. Ask the clerk who made the decision, then ask a lawyer about a hearing.
11. How long can a domestic violence arrest be held?
For stalking, child abuse, elder abuse, and some domestic offenses, Tennessee law requires a 12-hour hold unless an official finds no threat to the victim. An aggravated assault with strangulation or a weapon can be held up to 24 hours. Release comes with no-contact orders and sometimes GPS monitoring.
12. What if the arrest was for DUI?
The court may require an ignition interlock device before release, and certain repeat cases add alcohol monitoring paid for by the defendant. Proof of the installed device goes to the District Attorney within 10 days. A lawyer can explain which conditions apply.
13. Can Lauderdale County appoint a lawyer for me?
The 25th Judicial District Public Defender covers Lauderdale County at 901-465-7330. If you cannot pay a lawyer, ask for appointed counsel when the judge first sees the case. A lawyer can present job and family proof to argue for a lower bond.
14. How does Lauderdale County handle an arrest of a minor?
The Probate and Juvenile Court judge's office is at 731-635-3505. Call to learn where the young person is held and when the hearing is set. Juvenile cases are private, so Lauderdale County Inmate Search may not list the child.
15. If a Lauderdale County defendant fails to appear, what follows?
A no-show gives the judge two options at once: declare the bond forfeited and order the person arrested. Fines and court costs stay with the defendant unless the bond says otherwise and the surety agreed. Call the Circuit Court Clerk at 731-635-0101 the same day and speak with a lawyer.
16. Will the money I paid come back?
Cash paid to the court is returned after the person is discharged and every condition is met, with fines and costs taken first. A bondsman's fee stays with the bondsman. Keep every receipt that shows the case number.
17. My relative lives outside Tennessee. Does that change the bond?
It can. Lawful presence and ties to Tennessee are factors the judge weighs. A bondsman may charge a nonresident a premium of 10 to 15 percent instead of about 10. Ask for the figure in writing. A lawyer can show that the person has family, work, or a place to stay near Ripley.
18. What conditions can a judge attach to a Lauderdale County bond?
The judge must pick the lightest conditions that still secure the person's return. In stalking, abuse, and domestic cases that can mean no contact, a stay-away order, and limits on weapons. A violation can lead to immediate arrest and loss of the bond. Read every line of the release paper before leaving.
19. How can I tell a fake bail demand from a real one?
No court or jail asks for gift cards. Funds for calls or commissary do not buy release. If anyone presses you for a quick transfer, hang up and call the Sheriff's Office at 731-635-1311.
Lauderdale County bond contacts
- County jail
- Lauderdale County Jail, Ripley, TN; 731-635-1311
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond page
- Sheriff's Office
- P.O. Box 30, Ripley, TN 38063 (mail); 731-635-1311
- Custody lookup
- Lauderdale County Inmate Search
- Circuit Court Clerk
- 675 Highway 51 South, Ripley; 731-635-0101
- Clerk and Master
- 100 Court Square, Ripley; 731-635-1941
- General Sessions judge
- 731-635-2572
- Probate and Juvenile Court
- 731-635-3505
- Public defender
- 25th Judicial District, 901-465-7330
Fees, bond conditions, and office hours can change. Confirm anything that affects your case with the sheriff or a clerk before you pay. This is a general guide, not a lawyer's advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Lauderdale County Jail
The Lauderdale County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County Jail, or the courthouse in Lauderdale County where the offense took place.
Call 731-635-1311 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Lauderdale County inmate locator.
Lauderdale County Jail
Address:
675 Hwy 51 South
Ripley, TN 38063
Phone:
731-635-1311
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Lauderdale County
Does Lauderdale County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lauderdale County?
Who can set bail in Lauderdale County?
When is bail set in Lauderdale County Tennessee?
Does Lauderdale County have bail?
Yes, Lauderdale County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lauderdale County?
Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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, Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County have bail?
Yes, Lauderdale County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Lauderdale County?
Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County Tennessee?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Lauderdale County Jail for more information about the jails in Lauderdale County.
What options are there to pay bail in Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County Jail for more information about posting bail in Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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.