(a) The court or judge to whom the application for the writ is made, if satisfied that the plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable injury before the plaintiff could be relieved by the proceedings as authorized in §§ 29-21-112 – 29-21-114, may issue a precept to the sheriff, or other person selected, commanding the sheriff or other person to bring the plaintiff forthwith before such judge or court.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 29-21-115

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
(b) When the evidence is further sufficient to justify the arrest of the defendant, for a criminal offense committed in connection with the illegal detention of the plaintiff, the precept shall also contain an order for the arrest of the defendant.
(c) The officer or person to whom the precept is directed shall execute the same by bringing the defendant, and also the plaintiff, if required, before the court or judge issuing it, and thereupon the defendant shall make return to the writ of habeas corpus in the same manner as if the ordinary course had been pursued. The defendant may also be examined and committed, bailed or discharged, according to the nature of the case.
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