Terms Used In Tennessee Code 40-11-131

  • 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.

Where a bail bond or recognizance is executed by the accused, it shall be valid and binding on the accused and the accused’s sureties for the accused’s personal appearance before the court as prescribed by law or, if not payable or conditioned as prescribed by law for the appearance of the accused before the court from term to term of the court, it shall be held as if the bond or recognizance had expressly so stipulated and conditioned on its face, and no defect in the bond or recognizance shall avail the defendant and the accused’s sureties upon default to appear.