Bill > HB1256

This bill modifies Tennessee law regarding bench warrants and fugitive tracking procedures. Specifically, it changes the process for handling defendants who fail to appear for felony or certain misdemeanor cases by establishing more precise timelines for judicial and law enforcement actions. Under the new provisions, if a court issues a bench warrant or capias for a defendant's failure to appear, the judicial official must sign the warrant by the end of the next business day, and the clerk must transmit the warrant to the entering agency by the end of the next business day. The entering agency is then required to enter the warrant into available state and federal databases, including the National Crime Information Center. Importantly, a surety (bail bondsman) will not be liable for the defendant's bond if the warrant is not entered into databases within three business days of receipt. Additionally, if the defendant is apprehended outside the state, the district attorney general must decide whether to initiate extradition proceedings within one business day of being notified of the apprehension. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1256&ga=114