40-11-307 - Charges for fixing case prohibited. - Tennessee Statutes

40-11-307. Charges for fixing case prohibited.

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;

     (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).

[Acts 1939, ch. 199, § 5; C. Supp. 1950, § 11715.5; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 40-1407.]