Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) If a defendant in a criminal case executes a bond or recognizance before any court or other person authorized by law to take a bond or recognizance for the defendant’s personal appearance before a court to answer a criminal charge and there has not been a disposition pursuant to § 40-11-138(b), the bond or recognizance shall be valid and binding upon the defendant and the defendant’s sureties, until the time allowed by law for the defendant to appeal a finding of guilt to the court of criminal appeals. If the defendant timely appeals, the defendant shall be required to make a new bond to the court of criminal appeals, unless there has not been a disposition pursuant to § 40-11-138(b) and the trial judge, after examination of the original bond, sets out in a written order that the original bond is sufficient. The court shall use its discretion in determining whether the bond at issue should be changed. No presumption is otherwise intended to be raised in this section. If the time for appealing to the court of criminal appeals expires and the defendant has not filed an appeal, the bondsman, if there has not been a disposition pursuant to § 40-11-138(b), may be required to surrender the defendant to the court for service of the sentence.(2) If the defendant files a timely appeal and the trial court judge orders that a new bond be made, the new bond or recognizance shall be made to the court of criminal appeals and shall not terminate until the final state court to which the defendant may appeal has rendered a decision on the appeal. Upon the conclusion of the appellate process, the bondsman shall be required to surrender the defendant.(b)(1) If the defendant is placed on pretrial, post-plea or judicial diversion, community correction, fined or if the defendant’s sentence is suspended and probation granted, any such action shall constitute a disposition pursuant to § 40-11-138(b), the bond or recognizance is terminated, and the bondsman or other surety shall be released from the bondsman’s or surety’s obligations.(2) If the court orders that the defendant is required to make a new bond or recognizance while on any of the programs set out in subdivision (b)(1), the new bond or recognizance shall be made to the court granting the placement. The new bond or recognizance shall not terminate until the defendant has completed the period of court-ordered supervision or until the defendant’s diversion, community correction or probation is revoked. If the defendant’s diversion, community correction or probation is revoked, the bondsman may be required to surrender the defendant.(c)(1) A defendant is not required to make any bond or recognizance other than that which is required by subsection (a) or (b), unless ordered to do so by the appropriate court, because the:
(A) Bond is insufficient in amount;(B)Defendant‘s sureties are insolvent;(C)Bail is forfeited; or(D) Court finds other good and sufficient cause for doing so.(2) If the defendant is required to make another bond or recognizance for any reason set out in subdivision (c)(1), the sureties on the original bond may surrender the defendant and be released on the bond, as is provided by law.
