Sequatchie County Justice Center Inmate Bail & Bonds
Sequatchie County bail and bond: getting through an arrest in Dunlap
People arrested in Sequatchie County are held in the Sequatchie County jail in Dunlap, run by the Sheriff's Office at 351 Fredonia Road, Suite A. The Sheriff's Office telephone is 423-949-7750. Search the Sequatchie County Inmate Search for the charge and the bond amount, and use the clerk's number below for court questions.
1. My friend was arrested in Dunlap. Where do I look first?
Search the last name in the Sequatchie County Inmate Search. The record shows the charge and any bond. If the arrest is hours old, the booking may not be posted yet, so check again soon.
Then call the Sheriff's Office at 423-949-7750 with a full name and date of birth.
2. Does this county run a jail, or are people sent elsewhere?
Sequatchie County runs its own. The Sheriff's Office operates the jail from 351 Fredonia Road, Suite A, Dunlap, TN 37327, and arrests made here are booked there.
3. Which clerk handles the court side?
One person serves as both Circuit Court Clerk and General Sessions Court Clerk, and the office number is 423-949-2618. Start there with questions about court dates, bond paperwork and dockets.
The General Sessions judge, who also hears juvenile matters, can be reached at 423-949-4159.
4. Who sets bail?
A judge or magistrate. Under Tennessee Code 40-11-105 a person arrested on a bailable charge is entitled to bail, and the amount has to be decided for that person alone. A deputy can let someone go only once bail has been set (40-11-106).
5. How do I pay a cash bond?
The deposit equals the entire bail (40-11-118). Clerks may accept debit cards or mobile cash apps and charge the processing fee to the payer.
Phone the clerk at 423-949-2618 for the place and time cash is taken, and ask whether the office accepts cards.
6. What should a bondsman charge me?
A Tennessee resident should pay about 10 percent of the bond. A nonresident may pay 10 to 15 percent. Add a one-time $25 initiation fee and a $12 bail tax at most (40-11-151).
The premium is not refundable. Ask for duplicate receipts.
7. How do I check that a bondsman may work in this county?
The Board of Professional Bondsmen licenses them (40-11-321), and the court in the judicial district approves them. Sequatchie County is in the Twelfth Judicial District. A court may suspend a bondsman for misconduct (40-11-125).
Ask to see both approvals.
8. What if the bondsman wants collateral?
Anything beyond the premium must be itemized on a written receipt, with instructions for getting each item back. A bondsman also needs good cause to surrender a client, such as breaking the contract (40-11-151).
9. Can I pledge a farm or house?
Real estate in Tennessee qualifies. So does a written promise from two sufficient sureties who are not bondsmen or attorneys. Attorney General Opinion 03-054 lists four ways to post bail: cash, in-state property, two sureties and a bondsman.
Expect title review and some waiting. Call the clerk at 423-949-2618 about the process here.
10. Why would the judge pick a particular number?
Section 40-11-118(b) lists years in the community, job and finances, family, character, mental condition, prior record, court attendance, the charge, the possible sentence and danger shown by the record. Lawful presence in Tennessee counts. A voucher may stand behind two defendants at a time.
11. Can he be released without any money?
The court weighs that first. Recognizance or an unsecured bond comes before money bail (40-11-115(b)), and the least onerous conditions come next (40-11-116). Money bail is allowed when those would not reasonably assure appearance (40-11-117).
12. Who is not allowed bail?
People charged with capital crimes (Tennessee Constitution, Article I, section 15). Excessive bail is prohibited by section 16. A probation hold or an outside warrant can keep a person in even after money is paid.
13. My sister called 911 on her husband. Why can't he be released tonight?
Section 40-11-150 bars release within 12 hours of arrest in stalking and listed domestic cases, unless the official finds no threat to the victim. When an aggravated assault involves strangulation, serious injury or a deadly weapon, the hold may reach 24 hours. A no-contact order is required, with GPS monitoring in the aggravated case.
14. What conditions follow a DUI?
An ignition interlock can be ordered (40-11-118(d)). Repeat alcohol offenses can bring transdermal alcohol monitoring that the defendant pays for. Interfering with the device is a Class B misdemeanor.
15. What happens at the first court appearance?
Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 5 requires that the person be taken before a magistrate without unnecessary delay. The judge explains the charge and the right to a lawyer. A felony defendant enters no plea at that stage.
A preliminary hearing is set within 14 days for someone held and 30 days for someone released.
16. How do I ask for a court-appointed lawyer?
Let the judge know you lack the money for a lawyer. The Twelfth Judicial District Public Defender covers Sequatchie County at 423-942-3235.
17. My grandson is 15 and was taken in. Where does his case go?
To Juvenile Court, where the General Sessions judge presides. Call 423-949-4159 or the clerk at 423-949-2618 to ask where he is being held and when his detention hearing is. Juveniles do not appear in the adult search.
18. What should I bring when I go to the clerk?
Photo identification, the defendant's full name and date of birth, and the case or booking details from the Sequatchie County Inmate Search if you have them. Bring the payment form the clerk says is accepted, and ask for a receipt that shows the amount, the date and the case number.
Write down the name of the person who helps you. If anything about the paperwork looks wrong, ask before you leave the window.
19. Is money on a jail account the same as bail?
No. Funds on a commissary or phone account only pay for items and calls. They do not release anyone. Bail is paid through the clerk, a bondsman or a property bond.
20. What happens if he misses court?
The bond can be forfeited (40-11-139 and 40-11-201) and an arrest order issued. A cash depositor can lose the money. A bondsman may surrender the defendant (40-11-132). Call the clerk at 423-949-2618 the same day.
21. When does a deposit come back?
After the defendant is discharged (40-11-119), minus fines and court costs (40-11-121). A surety is not liable for fines, costs or restitution unless the bond says so and the surety consented (40-11-118(c)).
Sequatchie County bail contacts
- Jail
- Sequatchie County jail, 351 Fredonia Road, Suite A, Dunlap, TN 37327; 423-949-7750
- Custody lookup
- Sequatchie County Inmate Search
- Circuit and General Sessions Clerk
- 423-949-2618
- General Sessions and Juvenile judge
- 423-949-4159
- County offices
- 22 Cherry Street, Dunlap; 423-949-3479
- Public defender
- Twelfth Judicial District, 423-942-3235
- Bond help
- bail instructions for the Sequatchie County jail
Phone lines, hours and fees can change, and the judge decides every bond individually. Verify with the clerk or the Sheriff's Office before paying. General information, not legal advice.
How do Bail Bonds work at Sequatchie County Justice Center
The Sequatchie County Sheriff recommends that you might want to use a bail bond agent licensed to do business in Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County Justice Center, or the courthouse in Sequatchie County where the offense took place.
Call 423-949-7750 option 1 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Sequatchie County inmate locator.
Sequatchie County Justice Center
Address:
351 Fredonia Road
Dunlap, TN 37327
Phone:
423-949-7750 option 1
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Sequatchie County
Does Sequatchie County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in Sequatchie County?
Who can set bail in Sequatchie County?
When is bail set in Sequatchie County Tennessee?
Does Sequatchie County have bail?
Yes, Sequatchie County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Sequatchie County?
Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County?
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
When is bail set in Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County Justice Center 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, Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County have bail?
Yes, Sequatchie County recognizes most types of bonds.
What kind of bonds are accepted in Sequatchie County?
Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County Tennessee?
Yes, your attorney can request a bond reduction.
In Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee does offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Sequatchie County Justice Center for more information about the jails in Sequatchie County.
What options are there to pay bail in Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County Justice Center for more information about posting bail in Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie 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 Sequatchie County Justice Center 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.