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Should You Keep a Copy of Your Tennessee Arrest Record

Most people would like to pretend that they were never arrested and never accused of criminal activity. They hope that if they pretend it never happened, that no one will ever learn about the incident. The understandable desire to put an arrest behind them is why few people ever stop to consider whether or not they should ask for a copy of their arrest record.

By failing to obtain a copy of your arrest record it’s possible you’re doing yourself an injustice. Not having easy access to your arrest record could damage your future.

There are several reasons you should at least have access to your arrest record.

You’re Applying for a Visa or Passport

Whenever you apply for a visa or passport, there will be a background check. If you have a criminal history or even a history of being arrested, red flags could be raised. If you’re unable to show that all of you legal issues have been resolved, it’s likely your application will be rejected.

The ability to submit your arrest record when you apply for the passport or visa means that the individual who is handling the application has instant and easy access to names, dates, and case numbers that allow them to quickly verify that you’re legal troubles have been resolved and that you’re a good candidate for a passport.

When You’re Going Into a Job Interview

Employers want to know what your history is like prior to officially hiring you. Having your criminal record handy and ready for them to look at is the best approach. Being open and upfront about your criminal history not only prevents a potential employer from being surprised when they run a background check, but it also provides you with an opportunity to present your side of the story.

Making Sure There Aren’t Any Mistakes

The biggest reason you should make sure you look at your criminal record is making sure it doesn’t contain any mistakes that could potentially harm your future. Not only do you want to make sure that all the charges and convictions on the record are actually yours, you also want to make sure that things like pardons, expungements, dropped charges, etc. are accurate.

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Dealing with Payment Plans Is Easy with Memphis Bail Bonds

Payment plans are pretty great. They break up the large cost of something and spread it out over a set amount of time. This makes it easier for a person to afford whatever the item is. However, they can add a bit of worry for some people. People may worry about missing a payment, and wonder what will happen then.

This is especially true when it comes to bail bonds. Many people are terrified of missing a payment, because it can mean more than just losing the money for the bond. Missed payments are a common concern for our clients here at Memphis Bail Bonds. Luckily, they don’t have to be a big, world ending deal.

If a client suspects that they might be late on a payment, they should let their bail agent know right away. Here at Memphis Bail Bonds, we are more than capable of working with our clients on their payments. We know that surprises happen, and you may not have the money for a payment one month. We also know that things changes, and what might have been affordable a few months ago, might be too much now. We can rework the payment plan to better fit your needs. This only works though if you talk with your bail agent.

Memphis Bail Bonds Works With Your Budget

If a person doesn’t talk with their bail agent about missing a payment, when the payment is missed, their agent will try to contact them right away. If the agent can get in touch with their client, they can figure out how to proceed together. If no contact can be made, then that is typically when a bounty hunter gets involved to bring the person back into police custody.

Making payments might be difficult with other bail bond companies, but not with Memphis Bail Bonds. All of our payment plans are designed with our clients and their unique budgets in mind. If a client runs into a bit of trouble with their payments, they can talk to an agent ahead of missing a payment to prevent anything bad from happening.

Do you need bail? Contact Memphis Bail Bonds. We’re a family-owned bail bonds business that has been serving the area for several decades. Our top-rated services include:

  • 24/7 Bail bond service
  • Online payments
  • 0% Interest payment plans
  • Phone approvals
  • No hidden fees
  • No collateral for working signers
  • Free consultations with a bail bonds expert

At Memphis Bail Bonds, our bail agents are available 24/7 when you call (615) 544 0000 or click Chat With Us now.

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What Is the Booking Process Like?

When it comes to arrests and bail, most people have a lot questions. For instance, many people wonder what happens when a person is arrested. They often expect the arrest to happen quickly, however that is rarely the case. There is a whole process to booking someone into jail and it usually takes some time to complete.

The booking process proceeds as follows:

    1. Information is recorded. When a person is brought into a police station, their information is recorded. This includes things such as why the person was arrested, as well as their name, birthday, and home address.

    2. Picture time. Next the person’s mug shot is taken. The picture is important for identifying two different people who may share the same name. The mugshot also establishes the person’s physical condition at the time of arrest

    3. Fingers get dirty. After that, fingerprints are taken. These are typically entered into the national database maintained by the FBI.

    4. Belongings are confiscated. After the mugshot, officers will confiscate anything that is on the person, which can include clothes, which will be replaced with an orange jumpsuit. This also includes a full-body search to ensure that no contraband enters the jail. Any belongings taken from the arrested individual will be returned when the person is released, provided the item wasn’t contraband.

    5. In for anything else? As the all the other stuff is going on, someone else will use the given information to check for any warrants out for the person’s arrest. If a person does have other warrants out for their arrest, they likely won’t be given bail.

    6. Time for a checkup. Next comes a health checkup to make sure the person is healthy and not bringing any diseases into the jail. A DNA sample may be taken and added to the national database.

    7. Play well with others? Lastly, officers will make sure that the arrested person won’t cause trouble in the jail. This is done by asking if the person has ever had any gang affiliations, or other outside relationships, that might pose a problem with other inmates.

Memphis Bail Bonds Can Help You With Bail

There are a lot of steps to booking someone into jail, and not every station does them in the same exact order. On top of that, different stations are dealing with more arrests than others. This means that the booking process can be done in under an hour at some stations, but take several at others. It all depends on when and where the person was arrested.

Once a person has been booked in, they may be given a bail amount. Once that happens, Memphis Bail Bonds can help you bail that person out of jail. All you have to do to get started is talk to one of our bail agents. They will help you with the bail and answer all of your questions about the bail process.

Do you need bail? Contact Memphis Bail Bonds. We’re a family-owned bail bonds business that has been serving the area for several decades. Our top-rated services include:

  • 24/7 Bail bond service
  • Online payments
  • 0% Interest payment plans
  • Phone approvals
  • No hidden fees
  • No collateral for working signers
  • Free consultations with a bail bonds expert

You can talk to an agent for free at any time, just call (615) 544 0000 or click Chat With Us now.

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What Happens if You’re Summoned to Appear as a Witness in a Trial

It doesn’t matter if the prosecution or the defense thinks you’re a valuable witness, the process is the same for both sides. The first thing they will do is officially summon you to appear. This is done through a formal process in which a court representative hands you the information about how you’re required to appear in court.

Your own opinion on the case and judicial process aren’t relevant. As soon as the summons has been handed to you, you’re required to show up. Failing to do so will result in your being charged with contempt of court. Depending on the case and the mood of the prosecution/judge, it’s possible that a warrant will be sworn out for your arrest and you’ll spend some time in jail.

When you do honor the summons and appear in court on the appointed day, you will report to the court officer who will tell you where to go. If you’re lucky, you won’t have to wait long before it’s your turn to testify, however in many cases, you’ll find yourself waiting for a few hours and might even have to come back to court on a different day.

At this point, it’s extremely important that you don’t talk to anyone about the case. The reason for this is simple, you don’t want the conversation to alter your direct memories about the case or the person you’re testifying about.

When you’re called to testify, you’ll be sworn in. As soon as that’s completed, both the prosecution and the defense will ask you a series of questions that pertain to the case. It’s extremely important that you answer each question as honestly as possible. Not only will lying jeopardize the case, but if you’re caught deliberately lying, you’ll be charged with perjury and arrested.

Once you’re done testifying you usually have the option of either remaining in the courtroom and watching the remainder of the trial or going home. The one exception to this is if either the prosecutor or the defense expresses interest in recalling you, in which case you’ll go back to playing a waiting game until they either recall you or formally announce that they no longer require any additional testimony from you.

Have you ever had to serve as a witness during a court trial? How did it go?

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The Benefits of Hiring a Good Criminal Defense Attorney

One of the biggest decisions you have to make after you’ve been charged with a crime is deciding if you should hire a private criminal defense attorney or if you should take advantage of a public defender.

The correct answer is going to vary from one person to another. That being said, there are several reasons why paying a good criminal defense attorney may be the best choice for you.

Criminal Defense Attorney Aren’t as Overworked as Public Defenders

The typical public defender has a great deal on their plate. While they care about their clients, they simply don’t have the time needed to give each case as much individualized attention as they should get. While good criminal defense attorneys are also busy, they have more time available to them to not only investigate the charges you’re facing and to scrutinize every single aspect of the police investigation, but they are also going to take the time to get to know you.

The Reputation of the Criminal Defense Attorney Depends on the Outcome of Your Case

Criminal defense attorneys know that they won’t win every single case, but they also know that the more favorably your case goes, the easier it will be for them to acquire good clients in the future. Criminal defense lawyers depend on having a winning record which is why they work extremely hard to make sure your case is perfectly handled. They will do everything in their power to make sure you get the justice you deserve.

It’s estimated that public defenders only win about 15% of the cases they take on. When you look at the typical stats of a good criminal lawyer in your area, you’ll notice that their win-to-loss ratio is usually significantly better.

Criminal Defense Attorneys Have Many Resources

When it comes to available resources, public defenders simply can’t compare to private criminal defense lawyers. The private lawyer has the resources available to hire private investigators, explore the possibility of expert witnesses, and take other avenues of defense that a public defender simply doesn’t have access to.

If your case goes to trial, having these resources at your disposal can have a major impact on the jury and could potentially be the difference between a not guilty and a guilty verdict.

If you are facing minor charges, you’ll likely be fine with a public defender, but for serious charges, many find that they are more comfortable when they have a private criminal defense attorney in their corner.

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Even People Who Can Afford Cash Bail Use Bail Bonds

Bail bonds are an alternative means to bailing out of jail. Understandably, this can be seen as a “poor man’s” option for bail because it is significantly “cheaper” and bail is always so expensive. But the truth of the matter is that literally, anyone can and does use bail bonds – even the wealthiest.

Aside from the lowered cost, many people opt for the bail bond route because it’s more convenient for them. When paying cash bail, they need to pay the entire bail amount before the defendant can be released from jail. That’s challenging. But when using a bail bond, a payment system is set up so that the defendant can be released from jail, and then he or she (or those on his or her behalf) will continue to make payments on the bail bond.

Learn more about the differences between cash bail and bail bonds, and see how bail bonds can be the better fit for you! Connect with one of the agents at Memphis Bail Bonds by chatting with them online or talking with them over the phone! Call (615)544-0000 today!

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Stay Safe Going into the New Year

Going out on the town and painting it red on New Year’s Eve always seems like a great way to ring in the New Year. Celebrating at bars, restaurants, clubs, and community events is a lot of fun and a great way to create some spectacular memories, but it can also be dangerous. The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself while making the holiday a memorable experience.

Pick a Group of Trusted Friends

There is safety in numbers which is why you should plan on going out with a group of people who are just as excited about going out as you are and who you trust. Before hitting the town, decide on things like who is driving (or if you’re getting a rideshare car or cab home.) Agree that no matter what happens, everyone leaves each location with the others, that no one leaves anyone behind, and have a form of communication ready to go if someone does get separated from the group.

Limit Your Drinking

Yes, you want to have a good time, but don’t drink so much alcohol that you get into a fight with your friends, or your normally good judgment wavers. Know what your limit is and pace yourself accordingly. If you do imbibe in too much alcohol, make sure at least one member of your friend group is sober enough to watch out for you.

No matter what you’re drinking, never leave your drink unattended. If you do have to leave your drink, order a new one when you return to the table. Never drink from a glass that you’ve lost track of, no matter how temporarily.

Stick to Areas You’re Familiar With

New Year’s Eve isn’t really the night that you want to explore new locations. If you do want to go to a New Year’s Eve party that’s in a part of town you’re unfamiliar with, visit that area in the weeks leading up to the party. That gives you a chance to find the safest parking spaces, bus stations, cab stops, and walking routes.

Leave Your Valuables at Home

New Year’s Eve is not the time to be waving around a lot of cash or to show off the nice new jewelry you got for Christmas. Those things make you attractive to thieves and pick-pockets. Limit the amount of cash you have on you and keep your nicer items at home.

Practice Self-Situational Awareness

Self-situational awareness is a great way to prevent yourself from becoming a victim this New Year’s Eve. The entire time you are out, be hypervigilant about your surroundings and the people in them. Pay extra attention to anyone who is taking an extreme interest in you or who seems to appear everywhere you do.

Stay safe and have a wonderful time ringing in 2022.

For a free bail consultation, call 615-544-0000 now.

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Avoid a Drunk Driving Charge This Christmas

No one wants to spend the Christmas season sitting in a jail cell with a DUI charge hanging over their head, yet that’s exactly what will happen to several people this holiday season. Drunk driving is one of the most common reasons people are arrested during the holidays.

Don’t assume that since it’s the holiday season, you can safely make it home after spending a few hours in the bar. You simply can’t anticipate every single situation you’ll encounter during the journey. There’s always a chance that something will happen and you’ll get into an accident.

The other problem with taking a chance during the holiday season is that state and local officers know that there are going to be more drunk drivers on the roads than during other times of the year. They’re prepared for this. There will likely be more officers patrolling the streets and they are going to be on the lookout for the erratic driving habits that indicate the person behind the wheel has had a few too many. They will pull you over and if you’ve been drinking, you will be arrested.

No one is going to go lightly on you just because you were caught driving while under the influence during the holidays. The potential sentence for a first offense will be a misdemeanor charge with a potential sentence of 3-5 years of probation, up to $1,000 in fines, losing your driver’s license for six months, and substance abuse school. If you’re in an accident that involves an injury or death, you’ll face additional charges that have significantly more serious penalties.

The thing you must understand about DUIs during the holidays is that they are actually pretty easy to avoid. If you’re going out, either with friends or by yourself, assume that you will drink too much and come up with a plan to get home. Arrange for someone to pick up when it’s time to leave the bar or party. If you can’t find a friend or family member to come to get you, take a cab or book an Uber. Spending a few bucks on the fare is considerably cheaper than getting convicted of a DUI.

Make this a happy holiday season that is full of good memories. The best way to do that is to make sure you only get behind the wheel when you’re completely sober.

For a free bail consultation, call 615-544-0000 now.

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Bail Bonds in Tennessee

No one creates a budget that includes the possibility of bail. That means that you’re not financially prepared when you get arrested. Not only do you not have the necessary funds set aside, but you’re also going to want to use any extra money you do have set aside to finance your defense.

The problem is you also don’t want to sit in jail for any longer than is necessary.

Memphis Bail Bonds has the solution. In exchange for a fee that adds up to 10% of the bail the court has demanded, we’ll provide you with a bail bond. Once we post the bail bond, you’ll be released from jail and allowed to rejoin your loved ones.

But what if you don’t have the money for the 10% fee?

We understand that even 10% can be a lot of money, particularly if your bail is high. We’ve created a program that we think will help. Many of the people who contact us about a Tennessee bail bond are pleased to learn that they qualify for our payment plan. This is a program that we customize for each client that enables you to make easy payments.

You’ll be pleased to know that, unlike your credit card company, we don’t charge interest. Once you’ve completed making payments, you’ll have only paid 10% of your total bail bond. Wouldn’t it be great if other businesses offered the same type of deal?

We also offer:

· 24/7 Bail bond service
· Phone/online approvals
· Free consultations
· No hidden fees
· No collateral required for working signers

Memphis Bail Bonds is a mainstay in the community. We’ve spent the past three decades writing bail bonds for people just like yourself. When you contact us, you can rest assured that you’re dealing with a business that knows the industry inside and out, will act quickly to get you released from jail as soon as possible, and that we will always honor their word.

You don’t have to commit to Memphis Bail Bonds right away. We want you to be comfortable with your decision which is why we urge you to take advantage of a free consultation with one of our bail bonds experts. They’ll explain exactly how our zero-interest bail bond system works.

For a free consultation, call 615-544-0000.

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What to do When the Police Want to Question You

It doesn’t matter if it’s a phone call asking that you schedule an appointment or if officers knock on your door. Learning that the police want to talk to you is enough to strike terror into your heart, even if you haven’t done anything wrong.

When you learn that the police want to speak to you, you should forget anything you learned from procedural shows. They always imply that you should wait to get a lawyer, that’s a huge mistake.

The police can’t force you to talk to them without a lawyer and contrary to what popular culture might want you to believe, having a lawyer doesn’t automatically make you seem guilty.

Legally speaking, you’re not obligated to speak to the police unless they have presented you with a warrant. However, they aren’t obligated to leave you alone either. If the police believe that you have the information that they need, they can keep contacting you and attempting to set up an appointment. Hiring a lawyer and meeting with them is one of the best ways to resolve the situation quickly.

The main reason you want to hire a lawyer when you’re going to speak to the police is that the lawyer will make sure you don’t say anything that could potentially implicate you and they will also make sure the police follow the strict letter of the law during the questioning.

While you’re waiting for a lawyer, you shouldn’t answer any questions the police try to ask. If you feel compelled to speak, limit your comments to “I’m waiting for my attorney.” While you don’t want to talk to the police without your lawyer, you also don’t want to do anything to offend the police. Don’t slam the door in their face, don’t yell obscenities, and don’t even think about making any threatening comments. It’s in your best interest to stay calm and polite. The only thing losing your temper accomplishes is potentially creating a situation where your behavior inspires the police to press charges against you.

You should also remember that just because the police have asked to talk to you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they think you’ve done something wrong. In many situations, the police simply want to ask you a few questions that will help them build a case against someone else.

Call 615-544-0000 for an obligation-free consultation.