Robertson County Detention Facility Inmate Bail & Bonds
Robertson County bail and bond: the Springfield detention facility and what comes next
Adults arrested in Robertson County are held at the Robertson County Detention Facility, 311 5th Avenue East, Springfield. The detention facility answers at 615-384-7974, and the Sheriff's Office, at 507 South Brown Street, answers at 615-384-7971. Use Robertson County Inmate Search to confirm the booking, the charges and any bond before you call or drive anywhere. Then use the questions below to sort out who sets bail, what a bondsman costs, and how family can stay in touch while the case moves along.
How do I confirm that someone is held in the Springfield jail?
Open Robertson County Inmate Search. It shows current inmates, charges and bond amounts. Someone booked within the last hour or two may take time to appear. If the name does not show, call the detention facility at 615-384-7974, and ask whether the person was released, transferred, or arrested by another agency.
Where is the detention facility, and how is it different from the Sheriff's Office?
The detention facility is at 311 5th Avenue East, Springfield. The Sheriff's Office is a separate address, 507 South Brown Street, with its own number, 615-384-7971. Go to the detention facility for visits, and call the Sheriff's Office for general department business. The jail also houses federal detainees under an agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service.
What if the person is held on a federal charge?
Federal cases follow federal court rules, and a federal judge decides on release. The Robertson County facility can hold federal detainees for the U.S. Marshals Service. A federal defender or private lawyer can explain the next step. Ask the detention facility at 615-384-7974 which agency holds the person.
Who sets the bond for a county charge?
A judge or magistrate. The jail can release a person only after bail has been set, and it cannot change the amount. Tennessee gives every arrested person an individual bail decision, so a printed chart is not binding. A lawyer can ask the court to lower a bond or release the person on a promise to appear.
What do Robertson County judges weigh?
They look at how long the person has lived here, job and money history, family ties, reputation, past court dates, the charge and public safety. A community member can vouch for the defendant, with a limit of two defendants at any one time. Immigration status can matter because lawful presence in Tennessee is a bail factor. Bring written proof of work and address.
What does a bondsman cost?
For a Tennessee resident the premium is about 10 percent of the bond. A nonresident may be charged anywhere from 10 to 15 percent. A one-time $25 fee and a $12 tax may also apply. You do not get this money back. Ask for a receipt for each charge, and for a written description of any collateral.
How do I check that a bondsman is allowed to write bonds here?
The state Board of Professional Bondsmen issues the license. The court in the 19th Judicial District, which covers Robertson and Montgomery counties, must also approve the bondsman. A bondsman cannot give up your relative to the jail without good cause. Ask to see the license before you sign.
Can I pay the entire bail in cash?
Yes. Cash bail is the full amount, with no fee to a bondsman. A court clerk takes the deposit and may accept a debit card or payment app, passing the fee on to you. The deposit comes back after the case, less fines and court costs. Ask the detention facility at 615-384-7974 where and when a cash payment is taken.
Is a house or land accepted for a bond?
Tennessee real estate can secure a bond, and so can a written agreement by two sureties who are neither bondsmen nor lawyers. These bonds are slower. Call the detention facility at 615-384-7974 to ask which office handles the paperwork, and plan for every owner to sign.
When does the first court appearance happen?
Tennessee requires that an arrested person see a magistrate without unnecessary delay. At that appearance the person is told the charge, the right to a lawyer, the right to remain silent and the general conditions of release. Felony defendants do not enter a plea at that point. Call 615-384-7971 to ask for the date.
What does "no bond" mean on the record?
It can mean a hold from another court or county, a probation violation, a bond not yet set, or a capital charge. Capital offenses are the only crimes the constitution now keeps outside bail.
Why does a domestic case take extra time?
For stalking, child abuse, elder abuse and certain domestic offenses, the official must hold the person 12 hours unless a finding shows no threat to the victim. Aggravated assault with strangulation or a weapon can mean a hold of up to 24 hours. The person must agree to a no-contact order and may be placed on GPS.
Can a DUI release include a device?
Yes. For many alcohol-related driving charges, the court may order an ignition interlock with proof sent to the district attorney within 10 days. A third or later alcohol offense, or vehicular homicide with a prior alcohol conviction, can mean alcohol monitoring paid for by the defendant.
How do visits work at the detention facility?
Visits are booked through the visitation office with the online scheduling link. Each inmate gets one one-hour visit a week. Visiting runs Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. A visitor more than 15 minutes late loses the visit. Questions go to 615-384-7971.
How can I put money on the inmate's account?
Deposits go in at kiosks in the visitation lobby and main lobby, or online through CorrectPay. That money is not bail and does not release anyone. The facility does not accept personal packages or books. Pay bail only through the court or a licensed bondsman.
Who is the public defender for Robertson County?
The 19th Judicial District Public Defender covers Robertson and Montgomery counties. Call 931-648-5538. Ask the judge for appointed counsel at the first appearance if the family cannot afford a lawyer.
What about a juvenile arrest?
Juvenile records are private, so Robertson County Inmate Search may not show a minor. Call the Sheriff's Office at 615-384-7971 to ask where the young person is being kept and which court will hear the case.
What if the person fails to appear in Springfield?
A missed date lets the judge forfeit the bond and sign an arrest warrant. A surety is charged fines, costs or restitution only when the bond itself says so and the surety accepted that. Contact a lawyer immediately, and call 615-384-7971 to check whether a warrant is out. No one frees a person in exchange for gift cards.
Robertson County bond contacts
- County jail
- Robertson County Detention Facility, 311 5th Avenue East, Springfield, TN 37172; 615-384-7974
- Bond guide
- Jail bail and bond page
- Custody lookup
- Robertson County Inmate Search
- Sheriff's Office
- 507 South Brown Street, Springfield; 615-384-7971
- Visits
- Booked through the visitation office; 615-384-7971
- Public defender
- 19th Judicial District, 931-648-5538
Bond amounts, fees and visiting hours can change with a court order or a facility rule. Confirm the details for your own case before paying. A page like this cannot replace a lawyer.
How do Bail Bonds work at Robertson County Detention Facility
The Robertson County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Robertson 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 Robertson 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 Robertson 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 Robertson County Detention Facility, or the courthouse in Robertson County where the offense took place.
Call 615-384-7974 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Robertson County inmate locator.
Robertson County Detention Facility
Address:
311 5th Avenue E.
Springfield, TN 37172
Phone:
615-384-7974
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Robertson County
Does Robertson County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Robertson County?
Who can set bail in Robertson County?
When is bail set in Robertson County Tennessee?
Does Robertson County have bail?
Yes, Robertson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Robertson County?
Robertson 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 Robertson County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Robertson 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 Robertson 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 Robertson County Detention Facility 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, Robertson 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 Robertson 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 Robertson County have bail?
Yes, Robertson County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Robertson County?
Robertson 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 Robertson 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 Robertson County Tennessee?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Robertson 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 Robertson County Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Robertson County Detention Facility for more information about the jails in Robertson County.
What options are there to pay bail in Robertson 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 Robertson County Detention Facility for more information about posting bail in Robertson 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 Robertson 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 Robertson County Detention Facility 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.