(a) In all felony cases where an appeal has been taken from the trial court to the appropriate appellate court, it is discretionary with the trial judge as to whether or not the trial judge will allow bail pending appeal where the sentence imposed provides for confinement in the state penitentiary.

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class A felony15 to 60 yearsup to $50,000
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 40-26-102

  • 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
  • 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.
  • Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) The trial judge shall, in exercising the trial judge’s discretion, consider whether or not the defendant is likely to flee or pose a danger to any other person or to the community.
(c) Every trial judge denying bail under this section shall, as a part of the order denying bail, set forth the matters and facts impelling the trial judge to exercise the trial judge’s discretion against the allowance of bail pending appeal.
(d) The trial judge’s action in the premises shall be reviewable by the proper appellate court or any appellate court judge or justice in the manner provided in the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure.
(e) The setting of bail or release upon recognizance is a matter of right for one convicted of a felony and sentenced to confinement for less than one (1) year. If another felony charge is pending when the sentencing hearing for a felony involving a sentence of less than one (1) year is completed, the decision to set bail shall be in the discretion of the court.
(f) If a defendant is convicted of first degree murder, any Class A felony, aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated kidnapping, or a violation of § 39-17-417(b) or (i), the trial court shall revoke bail immediately notwithstanding sentencing hearings, motions for a new trial, and related post-guilt determination hearings.
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