From a technical standpoint, the arraignment signals the beginning of formal legal proceedings against the defendant. After the arraignment hearing, this legal process continues to move forward. An arraignment judge or magistrate, who is like an assistant judge, presides over the hearing, and a prosecutor represents the State of Tennessee.

From a practical standpoint, the arraignment is usually when reality sets in. The arrest is no longer a misunderstanding between you and the arresting officer or an unfortunate situation of “being in the wrong place at the wrong time”.  These platitudes are long gone and you have experienced being arrested and “behind bars”. If your arrest has come become a felony case, you can expect an extra special dose of everything becoming much more real. A tough reality check is coming your way.

Procedurally, most arraignments occur via video link. The sheriff collects inmates in a room. Then, a judge or magistrate appears on a TV screen. Fortunately, friends, family, and other people can usually watch the video stream from another location. This is far less intrusive and keeps everything moving forward quickly.

Increasingly, the arraignment may be the first time the defendant learns about the charges. Contrary to popular myth, police officers do not have to tell people the charges at the arrest. The arraignment is always a defense lawyer’s first opportunity to review the information, indictment, or other charging instrument. That review usually gets the mental wheels turning for the defendant and their attorney in terms of possible defenses.

Furthermore, the defendant enters a plea at the arraignment. That plea is almost always “not guilty.” In a few special cases, however, the defendant’s lawyer may give different advice.

Additionally, the judge sets bail, based on a number of factors. The two most important factors are the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history. Most studies show that people who face serious charges and have been through the arrest and criminal system before are more likely to remain for trial. But most judges do not see it that way. The worse the charged offense, and the dirtier the defendant’s background, the higher bail will probably be.

In most cases, yes. Your Fizer Bonding Company bail bondsman, at any time of the day or night (bail bonds clarksville tn) can prepare and deliver a surety bond. Not only is this good news but the best thing you can do to prepare for a good defense is to secure a pre-trial release with your bondsman.

This bond is a bit like an insurance policy. In return for getting out of jail, the defendant must pay a premium fee for the bondsman’s services, which is usually about 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount. Additionally, the defendant must comply with a number of conditions, like attending all required preliminary hearings, remaining in the county, and reporting to their Fizer Bonding Company bondsman (24-hour bail bondsman) who prepared the surety bond.

In Montgomery and Robertson County your Fizer Bonding Company bondsman can get the defendant out of jail before the arraignment because, in most cases, the sheriff sets presumptive bail amounts, such as $1,500 for a misdemeanor and $3,500 for a felony. These presumptive amounts remain in place unless and until a judge changes them.

If you need to get out of jail before or after the arraignment hearing, reach out to us now. We are family owned with over 40 years of bail bond experience and provide discreet and speedy 24-hour bond release services.

If you have more questions about how bail bonds work, see our webpage  Fizer Bonding Company is a member of Tennessee Association of Professional Bail Agents.

“We’ll get your tail outta jail!”

Fizer Bonding Company in Montgomery County Tennessee

(931) 449-9351

Fizer Bonding Company in Robertson County Tennessee

(615) 667-1109

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