Tennessee Code 40-4-101 – Preliminary proceedings

Judges of the courts of general sessions are authorized and empowered to:

(1) Make the preliminary examination and bind over the reputed father in bastardy cases;

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.
Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.

(2) Summon a jury of inquest in cases of death by accident, as provided in § 38-5-103;

(3) Issue a warrant for a prisoner escaped from jail;

(4) Examine persons arrested for a crime;

(5) Bind a defendant over to court if probable cause be found; and

(6) Take bail in bailable offenses brought before the judges.

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