IF YOU USE A PROFESSIONAL BONDSMAN:
Amount of Charges to You. The premium fee for your bond should not be more than ten percent (10%) of the face amount of your bond. For example, if your bond is $2,500, the premium on the bond should not be more than $250. In addition to this amount, the law also permits a one-time $25 initiation fee, (T.C.A. § 40-11-316).
Insist on a Receipt. The law, (T.C.A. § 40-11-304), requires a bail bondsman to keep a duplicate receipt. The receipt must show the name of the person paying money or pledging property, the name of the person for whom it was paid, the account or purpose for which it is received, and the suit, action or matter in which the money is paid.
Collateral That Can Be Required. If a bondsman insists on collateral in addition to the ten percent (10%) premium fee, you may wish to talk to another bondsman. However, a bondsman may accept collateral, and if the bondsman accepts collateral, the bondsman must give you a written receipt for the collateral, and the receipt shall give in detail a full description of the collateral received and the terms of redemption as required by T.C.A. § 40-11-126(8).