Can I Leave the Jurisdiction While I’m Out on Bond?

When you have been arrested in the the greater Memphis, Tennessee area and released on bond with the bondsman at United Bonding Company, in many ways, bond is a lot like misdemeanor probation. They are both court-supervised release from jail. They may both involve a number of conditions, including remaining within the state and/or county for the duration of the supervision.  

However, this condition is not listed in Section 40-11-118 https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-40/chapter-11/part-1/40-11-118/  which is one of the primary bail sections of the Tennessee Code of Criminal Procedure. This omission gives a discretionary opening to your bonding agency to bypass certain travel restrictions.  So, in some cases, it may be possible for you to leave the state  while you’re out on bail. If you have plans to leave your local area be sure to initially communicate this to your bondsman at United Bonding Company.

Why is Location a Condition of Bail?

Before delving into the possible exceptions, it’s important to look at the rule. Remaining in the jurisdiction is not a punishment. By law, bail cannot punish people. They have not yet been convicted of anything.

Rather, the location provision relates to bail and flight risk. If people are allowed to leave the jurisdiction, there is a better than even chance that they might decide to remain outside the jurisdiction. At this early stage, that’s all a prosecutor may need to show to keep you from leaving. Therefore, there may be extra focus on how and why you have plans to leave your local area and your reason along with timing for your return.

That being said, remaining in the jurisdiction is just as important as any of the other state of Tennessee bail conditions, such as:

  • Not committing any other crimes,
  • Staying away from alleged victims or possible witnesses,
  • Reporting to a bail bond office near you, or
  • Complying with physical requirements, like wearing a GPS monitor or installing an Ignition Interlock Device.

Making Bond as a Non Resident

In the event that you are arrested in Memphis (Shelby County), Tennessee and are not a resident of the area, you may still be able to make a bond and live in your home jurisdiction while you await trial.  The agent at United Bonding Company will weigh a number of factors when making the decision as to whether or not to make your bond in this situation. During this evaluation, it is very important that you are completely honest with our bail bondsman when he or she asks you questions.  If you are caught in a lie, the bonding company is likely to decide not to write your bond.

Bypassing the Travel Restriction

By its nature, a bail bond implies ties to the location where the bond is granted. Your bondsman wants to know that you are going to keep your agreement to show up at court on your court date and not be a flight risk. By working with the bondsman that wrote your bond, it might be possible to bypass a travel restriction but if at any time during your case, the prosecutor feels that they have a compelling reason to prohibit your travel, you may face an uphill battle getting a travel restriction lifted.

First off, give your bonding agent at United Bonding Company plenty of notice. Do not make firm travel arrangements until you talk with United Bonding Company. Second, explain why you need to leave the jurisdiction. The most common requests likely to be approved are work-related trips or previously-planned trips, like an out-of-state wedding. Such trips are also limited purpose trips. Most bonding companies will probably not approve vacations or other such plans.

United Bonding Company (bail bonds near me) offers professional bonding services 24/7 every day of the year throughout Shelby County and the western portion of Tennessee by calling (901) 577-1138. United Bonding Company is also licensed to write bonds in the Shelby County Juvenile Court. They have served the greater Memphis area and western Tennessee for over 12 years and are proud members of TAPBA Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents https://www.tapba.org/ .

*DISCLAIMER**

Please be advised that www.bailbondmemphis.com and United Bonding Company is not an attorney or law firm and does not provide legal advice. If you are seeking legal advice, you are strongly encouraged to consider consulting with a competent attorney in your jurisdiction who can provide you with legal advice on your particular matter given that individual state, county or city laws may vary. www.bailbondmemphis.com provides INFORMATION ONLY and the information provided is for informational purposes only AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR SUBSTITUTED FOR LEGAL ADVICE. THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IN OR AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SITE MAY INCLUDE INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. No guarantees are made and the use of the website, content, and any information provided is at your own risk.

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