It is unlawful for any professional bondsman, while acting on the bondsman’s own behalf, or for any third person or persons, or in concert with them, in any negotiation, transaction or dealing with a person charged with a criminal offense or other violation of law, or with any person or persons purporting to represent or act for the one so charged, to charge, demand, contract for, accept, collect or receive any sum of money, fee, compensation, premium or other consideration, return, or favor of any character, directly or indirectly, upon any promise, offer, representation or holding out the inducement that the professional bondsman:

(1) Can or will attempt to effect, procure, bring about, arrange or “fix” the disposition, dismissal or compromise of any criminal action or prosecution;

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 40-11-307

  • bondsman: extends to and includes the agents, representatives or employees of a professional bondsman, or those acting for the bondsman, whether with or without compensation or salary. See Tennessee Code 40-11-301
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Professional bondsman: means any person, firm, partnership or corporation, engaged for profit in the business of furnishing bail, making bonds or entering into undertakings, as surety, in criminal proceedings, or for the appearance of persons charged with any criminal offense or violation of law or ordinance punishable by fine, imprisonment or death, before any of the courts of this state, including municipal courts or securing the payment of fines, judgments or damages imposed and of costs assessed by those courts upon preliminary or final disposition thereof. See Tennessee Code 40-11-301
(2) Can or will attempt to arrange, bargain for or “fix” the amount of fine or costs, and/or term of imprisonment to be imposed, or any particular action of a court, in any criminal case, contempt proceeding or other penal action in any court; or
(3) Can or will attempt to stop, prevent, obstruct, impede, interfere with, retard or delay the prosecution of any criminal charge against an accused, or the process of the law in respect thereof, or that the bondsman will cause to be done any of the things enumerated in this subdivision (3).
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