Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff Inmate Bail & Bonds

Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff

Address:
102 N. Main Street
Erwin, TN 37650
Phone:
423-743-1850

Unicoi County Announces a Major Bail Bond Change - January 4, 2023

Effective in 2023 all Tennessee and Unicoi County judges will consider the following factors when setting an offender's bond:

• The nature and circumstances of the offense
• The defendant's record of previous convictions
• The defendant's past record of appearance in court after being admitted to bail
• The defendant's family ties
• The defendant's employment record
• The defendant's financial resources
• The defendant's character and mental condition
• The defendant's community ties

Find out an inmate's bond by looking them up on the Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff Inmate Roster, or by calling 423-743-1850.

Who do I call to find out the Bond for an Inmate?

Please call the jail at 423-743-1850 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Unicoi 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 Unicoi County

Because Unicoi County and Tennessee can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff at 423-743-1850, 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 Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff or the Unicoi County Court Clerk these specific questions:

1. Is the defendant eligible for bail or a bond?
2. How much will the bail or bond be, and what are the additional fees?
3. Where do I go to pay it?
4. Are there any days or times of the day or night when I cannot post bail?
5. What types of payment are allowed? Cash? Money order? Credit card? What types of credit cards? Property or other collateral? Surety bonds?
6. Do I have to use a bail or bond agent?

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 Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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 Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Unicoi County Sheriff's Office or to the Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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 Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff

If you are a landowner in Unicoi County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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 Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff.

Who can post Bail or Bond for a Defendant at Unicoi 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.

Unicoi County Justice System Flowchart

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, Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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.