Tennessee § 55-10-203 - When arrested person must be taken before a magistrate — Admission to bail.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-203 — When arrested person must be taken before a magistrate — Admission to bail., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 55-10-203. When arrested person must be taken before a magistrate — Admission to bail.
Whenever any person is arrested for a violation of chapter 8 or parts 1-5 of this chapter, the arrested person shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate or judge within the county in which the offense charged is alleged to have been committed, who has jurisdiction of the offense and is nearest or most accessible with reference to the place where the arrest is made, in any of the following cases: When a person arrested demands an immediate appearance before a magistrate or judge; When the person is arrested upon a charge of criminally negligent homicide, voluntary manslaughter or murder; When the person is arrested upon a charge of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs; When the person is arrested upon a charge of failure to stop in the event of an accident causing death, personal injury or damage to property; and In any other event when the person arrested refuses to give written promise to appear in court as hereinafter provided. Any person arrested and charged with violating any provision of chapters 8 and 9 of this title or §§ 55-10-103 — 55-10-310 who is taken before a magistrate or judge as provided in subsection (a) shall be admitted to bail by posting a cash bond, but in no case shall the cash bond exceed the maximum fine and costs for the offense or offenses for which the defendant is charged. Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 96; 1976, ch. 697, § 1; T.C.A., § 59-1018; Acts 1980, ch. 815, §§ 1, 2; 2013, ch. 308, § 44. Cross-References. Admission to bail, title 40, ch. 11, part 1. Alcohol and drug related offenses, title 55, ch. 10, part 4. Hit and run accidents, § 55-10-101 . Textbooks. Tennessee Criminal Practice and Procedure (Raybin), §§ 3.4, 3.11, 19.63. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 4 Tenn. Juris., Automobiles, § 33.
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 55-10-203
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-203 cover?
Section 55-10-203 ("When arrested person must be taken before a magistrate — Admission to bail.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 55-10-203?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-10-203" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 55-10-203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.