Submitting to Court's Jurisdiction

By signing the release agreement, you have already submitted to the jurisdiction and authority of the court. Now you cannot claim they lack authority over you because you have voluntarily submitted to their jurisdiction. Many people overlook the serious consequences of paying bail and signing a release agreement. They are taken to jail - always at a most inconvenient and unexpected time. The jailers make signing the release agreement just a routine part of the procedure. The others who have also been arrested that day are signing without question. Your desire to be released will be so strong, it will be difficult to resist the jail's offer to release you - unless you know the consequences of signing out.

Many times someone has called me with the story that they were arrested and have a court date pending. They're excited about the defense they're going to make - those guys don't have jurisdiction, they tell me. "If they don't have jurisdiction, why did you sign out of jail?" I ask. "Oh, I needed an opportunity to prepare for court - how could I research my case in jail?"

What these people are overlooking is that the court initially may not have had jurisdiction. But when they voluntarily make an agreement with the court, they give the court the authority or jurisdiction to prosecute. I have to tell them the sad news - by signing out of jail they have already granted the court jurisdiction to hear the matter and be judged.

"You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods." Exodus 23:32

Hazards of Signing Release Agreement You voluntarily submit to the jurisdiction and judgment of the court. You forfeit the right to argue that the court lacks jurisdiction over you. You agree to appear in court and answer to the charges thereby giving tacit recognition of the court's authority over you. You agree to obey all laws - even those that might be in opposition to Christ's teachings. The statements are open-ended and all inclusive, i.e., submit to all orders and process of the court, keep all appointments. Since you do not know what will happen tomorrow, you are opening the door to being brought under judgment for violations of the agreement. You agree to be arrested and punished for any breach of the agreement. Who will decide what constitutes a breach? You are at their mercy. The agreement is signed under oath. Jesus clearly told us to swear no oaths. Whatever is more than a simple "yes" or "no" is from the evil one. (See Matthew 5:33-37)

Have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness.

Ephesians 5:11

For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

2 Corinthians 6:14, 16