Making bond gets you out of jail, but it comes with rules, and breaking one can send you right back. At Turnbow Law, we regularly see people in Wilson, Sumner, and Davidson counties lose their release over a condition they didn’t fully understand. Bond conditions are the court’s terms for staying free while your case is pending. Here are six that cause the most trouble in Tennessee, followed by five Middle Tennessee attorneys who can help.
Which bond conditions cause the most problems in Tennessee?
1. Does a no-contact order mean no texting?
Yes, and much more. Tennessee’s standard bail order for abuse cases defines contact to include calls, texts, email, social media, and passing messages through a third party. The order applies even if the alleged victim reaches out first. Under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-13-113, knowingly violating a no-contact order in a domestic case is a separate Class A misdemeanor.
2. Do you have to give up your guns?
You might. Under Tenn. Code Ann. 40-11-150, a magistrate in a domestic case can prohibit you from using or possessing a firearm while on bond. That covers a deer rifle in the closet, not just a handgun in the car. If the order applies to you, ask your lawyer how to transfer firearms lawfully before you go home.
3. When is an ignition interlock required on bond?
For some DUI charges, it’s mandatory. Tenn. Code Ann. 40-11-118 requires an ignition interlock, a breath-testing device that keeps a car from starting if it detects alcohol, when certain factors are present, such as a prior DUI conviction or a minor in the vehicle. Driving any vehicle without the device installed can count as a violation.
4. What happens if you miss an alcohol or drug test?
Courts often treat a missed test like a failed one. A judge can order random screens, a transdermal alcohol monitor worn on the ankle, or check-ins at a testing site, and you usually pay for them. Over-the-counter medications and some foods can raise questions, so keep prescriptions documented.
5. Can you leave the county or the state while on bond?
Only if your conditions allow it. Many bonds restrict travel, and domestic cases can include GPS monitoring under Tenn. Code Ann. 40-11-152. A work trip or family emergency doesn’t create an exception. Get written permission from the court first.
6. Why does missing a court date matter so much?
It’s the condition every bond carries, and the one people break most often by accident. Missing court can lead to a forfeited bond and an arrest warrant, and Tennessee treats failure to appear as its own offense under Tenn. Code Ann. 39-16-609. If you’re released on a bondsman’s bond, their check-in rules apply too.
What happens after a bond violation?
Under Tenn. Code Ann. 40-11-141, the court can revoke your bond and order you back into custody. You can also ask the court to review conditions that no longer fit your situation.
Who can help with bond conditions in Middle Tennessee?
- Turnbow Law (Chad Turnbow, Esq.)
- David Brust
- Christopher Eads
- Thomas Anthony Maynard
- C. Jay Ingrum, Ingrum Law Firm
1. Turnbow Law (Chad Turnbow, Esq.)
Turnbow Law is a Mt. Juliet criminal defense practice led by attorney Chad Turnbow, Esq. The firm represents people charged with misdemeanors and felonies across Middle Tennessee, including Lebanon, Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Nashville. Its practice areas include DUI, domestic violence, drug charges, assault, theft, probation violations, and juvenile cases, the same charges that tend to carry the strictest bond terms.
That can mean help asking the court to modify a condition, clarifying what a no-contact order allows when you share children or a home, and preparing for court dates. Every case turns on its own facts, and prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome.
2. David Brust
David Brust practices in Lebanon, and DUI defense is among his practice areas.
3. Christopher Eads
Christopher Eads is an attorney practicing in the Mt. Juliet area.
4. Thomas Anthony Maynard
Thomas Anthony Maynard is an attorney serving the Hermitage, Donelson, and Madison area.
5. C. Jay Ingrum, Ingrum Law Firm
C. Jay Ingrum practices with Ingrum Law Firm in the Gallatin and Goodlettsville area.
Know your terms before you leave the jail
Bond conditions are easy to break without meaning to. Read the written order the day you’re released, ask what each line means, and keep a copy where you can find it. If a condition makes it hard to work, care for your kids, or stay in your home, ask a defense attorney about requesting a modification instead of quietly working around it.