Address:
205 2nd. Ave. West
Carthage, TN 37030
Phone:
615-735-2626
Effective in 2023 all Tennessee and Smith County judges will consider the following factors when setting an offender's bond:
Find out an inmate's bond by looking them up on the Smith County Jail & Sheriff Inmate Roster, or by calling 615-735-2626.
Please call the jail at 615-735-2626 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Smith County Jail & Sheriff.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
Instructions on how to post Bail or Bond in Smith County
Because Smith County and Tennessee can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Smith County Jail & Sheriff at 615-735-2626, or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Smith County Jail & Sheriff or the Smith County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Smith County Jail & Sheriff
The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.
Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.
To pay a cash bond, go to Smith County Jail & Sheriff or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.
Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Smith County Jail & Sheriff where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Smith County Sheriff's Office or to the Smith County Court.
To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Smith County Jail & Sheriff
In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.
This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.
For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.
A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.
Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.
Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Smith County Jail & Sheriff
If you are a landowner in Smith County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Smith County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.
To find if property located outside of Smith County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.
Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Smith County Jail & Sheriff.
Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Smith County Jail & Sheriff?
Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.
In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.
Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Tennessee state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
When will the Cash Bail or Collateral be returned to me?
Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Smith County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
What happens to my Bail or Collateral if the Defendant misses Court?
The Smith County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.
If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Smith County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Smith County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:
To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out or Visit Inmate Page.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.
To send commissary money to an inmate in Smith County Jail & Sheriff follow these steps:
.JPG)
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account, what the fees are, how long it takes to hit their account and more, check out our full money and commissary guide for Smith County Jail & Sheriff.
1. Register with correctpay online, the money depositing service used by Smith County Jail & Sheriff, or call Customer Service at 855-836-3364. They are open 24/7.
2. Once registered, select Tennessee, then Smith County Jail & Sheriff, then the inmate you want to send money to.
3. Choose an amount, then a payment method (any major credit or debit card in your name), and then send.
NOTE: There is a cost to use this service... usually no more than 5%. The link below has all the information you need to know.
For all the information regarding phone calls with Smith County inmates; what phone service they use, calling cards information, the rules, policies, fees, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.
To send commissary money to an inmate's account in Smith County Jail & Sheriff follow these steps:
You can deposit money four different ways:
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions
For all information, tips and available items for send money and for shipping Commissary packages to an inmate in Smith County Jail & Sheriff check out our Commissary Instructions Page for Smith County.
To send a secure email message and digital photos to an inmate in Smith County Jail & Sheriff follow these steps:
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Smith County Jail & Sheriff and send them photos, check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Smith County.
24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
