Unicoi County DUI Bail Information
Understanding bail amounts, the release process, and what happens after a DUI arrest in Unicoi County.
How Bail Bonds Work
Option 1: Cash Bond (Pay Full Amount)
How it works: Pay the full bail amount to the court
Pros: Get full amount back after case concludes (minus court fees)
Cons: Requires full amount upfront
Option 2: Bail Bondsman (Most Common)
How it works: Pay 10-15% fee to bondsman, they post full bail
Cost: Typically 10% of bail amount (non-refundable)
Pros: Only need 10% upfront instead of full amount
Cons: Fee is non-refundable, may require collateral, co-signer assumes liability
Co-Signer Liability Warning
Important for Co-Signers:
- You are 100% liable if defendant does not appear in court
- You must pay the full bail amount if defendant skips
- Bondsman can seize collateral (house, car, etc.)
- You cannot cancel the bond - only the court can
- Liability continues until case is fully resolved
Release Timeline
Arrest & Booking (2-8 hours)
Fingerprinting, photographing, background check, medical screening
Arraignment (Within 24-48 hours)
First court appearance, judge sets bail amount, charges are read
Bail Posted (1-4 hours)
Family contacts bondsman, paperwork signed, fee paid
Release (2-6 hours)
Processing, release paperwork, return of personal property, court date assigned
Total Time Estimate
From arrest to release: 12-48 hours depending on booking workload, time of arrest (weekends take longer), and how quickly bail is posted.
After Release: Critical Deadlines
1. Request MVD Hearing - 15 Days
You have only 15 days from arrest to request your administrative license hearing. This is separate from your criminal case.
2. Retrieve Your Vehicle
Impound fees accrue daily. Get your car as soon as possible to avoid hundreds in storage fees.
Calculate Impound Costs3. Contact a Bail Bondsman
Need fast release in Unicoi County? Contact a verified 24/7 Bail Bondsman to start the release process immediately.
Find a Bondsman4. Appear at ALL Court Dates
Missing court will result in bond forfeiture, arrest warrant, and additional charges. Your co-signer will be liable for the full bail amount.
The sheriff's department operates the jail at 102 N Main Ave in Erwin, where booking occurs after a DUI arrest. Anyone taken into custody must remain at this facility until they post bail or a judge orders their release. Bail acts as a financial guarantee that the defendant will return for all scheduled court appearances.
Understanding Bail in Unicoi
Bail is not a punishment. It is a security deposit. Under Tennessee Code § 40-11-110, judicial commissioners or judges set the bail amount during the initial booking process. If the arrested individual cannot pay the set amount, they must remain in the jail in Erwin.
Typical Bail Amounts for DUI
Tennessee law establishes strict penalties for driving under the influence. For a first-offense DUI with no aggravating factors, bail ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. Aggravating factors increase these amounts. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.20% or higher, an accident involving property damage, or having a minor passenger in the vehicle will result in higher bail.
For a second or third DUI offense, the court views the defendant as a greater risk. Bail for repeat offenses routinely exceeds $5,000.
How to Post Bail in Unicoi
There are four primary methods to secure release from the jail on North Main Avenue.
Option 1: cash bail
Paying cash bail requires the full amount to be paid directly to the jail facility. The jail accepts cash or cashier's checks. The court holds these funds until the entire criminal case concludes.
Once the case is resolved, the court clerk refunds the deposit. Under Tennessee Code § 40-11-119, the court clerk retains an administrative fee of up to 10 percent of the deposit. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the entire cash bail is forfeited to the state.
Option 2: bail bondsman
When the full cash amount is unavailable, a professional bonding company is an alternative. You pay a non-refundable fee to the bondsman. Tennessee Code § 40-11-316 limits this fee to a maximum of 10 percent of the total bail amount for state residents.
The bondsman then signs a surety bond guaranteeing the full bail amount to the court. To secure the bond, the company requires a valid government-issued identification card, proof of employment, and sometimes a co-signer or collateral.
Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Unicoi County in our bail bond directory.
Option 3: property bond
A property owner can use real estate located in Tennessee to secure a release. Tennessee Code § 40-11-122 requires the equity in the property to be worth at least double the bail amount.
To post a property bond, the owner must present a certified copy of the deed, the current tax assessment, and a statement of any existing mortgages to the court clerk. All owners listed on the