40-11-139 - Forfeiture of bail security Notice to defendant and sureties. - Tennessee Statutes

40-11-139. Forfeiture of bail security Notice to defendant and sureties.

(a)  If the defendant whose release is secured under § 40-11-122 does not comply with the conditions of the bail bond, the court having jurisdiction shall enter an order declaring the bail to be forfeited. Notice of the order of forfeiture shall be immediately sent by certified mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, by the clerk of the court to the defendant at the defendant's last known address. The defendant's surety will be served with scire facias upon the forfeiture entered.

(b)  After the expiration of one hundred eighty (180) days from the date surety is served with scire facias or scire facias is returned to the clerk unserved or undelivered, the court may enter judgment for the state against the defendant and the defendant's sureties for the amount of the bail and costs of the proceedings.

[Acts 1978, ch. 506, § 35; 1979, ch. 160, § 1; T.C.A., § 40-1239; Acts 1997, ch. 504, § 2.]