Tennessee Code Title 6. Cities and Towns § 6-21-505

Whenever any person is arrested for the violation of any city ordinance in the presence of a police officer, and no warrant has been issued or served, such person may execute an appearance bond in an amount not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00), and file same with a police desk sergeant, or may, in lieu of the execution of an appearance bond, deposit a sum not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00), with a police desk sergeant and be given a receipt for same, and, on the appearance of such person before the city court at the time specified in the receipt, such deposit shall be returned to that person. On the failure of such person to appear at the time specified, the amount so deposited shall be forfeited to the municipality and such person shall not be entitled to the return of any part thereof and it shall not be necessary to issue a scire facias; provided, that within two (2) days of the imposition of the forfeiture, the city judge shall have the power to set aside the conditional judgment imposing such forfeiture when it shall be made to appear that the failure of the accused to appear and defend such accused's suit was due to no fault or negligence of the accused. After the expiration of the two (2) days, there may be a final judgment imposing a forfeiture.