New U of M report studies bail in Shelby County
Bail amounts in Shelby County increased following the passage of a recent state law aimed at peeling back local bail reform efforts.
There are 18 article(s) tagged Bail:
Bail amounts in Shelby County increased following the passage of a recent state law aimed at peeling back local bail reform efforts.
The comptroller’s report calls for greater transparency regarding criminal justice data.
“Rather than demonizing judges when they make a bad call, we need to provide judges with better information, so they can make better calls. And that’s what the DA’s office has done,” writes District Attorney General Steve Mulroy.
“Returning Shelby County to a wealth-based system of justice that favors the affluent harms everyone else at enormous taxpayer expense. Policies like the Standing Bail Order that can build a safer, smarter, fairer future deserve our support.”
Several local officials are backing a new state law that will allow judges and judicial commissioners access to at least some juvenile court records in setting bail.
The new bail-setting form is the latest change to Shelby County’s bail-setting process, which continues to receive criticism from residents and legislators who claim it often does not do enough to protect the community.
Local criminal justice reform nonprofit Just City has filed a federal lawsuit over a recently passed state law that changed Shelby County’s bail-setting procedures.
Appearing on WKNO-TV’s “Behind the Headlines,” Shelby County District Attorney General discussed bail reform, gun control and more.
A new law bars judicial commissioners from using an ability-to-pay calculator when setting initial bail, but it does not prevent the consideration of defendants’ financial conditions. Critics say the law is confusing and ultimately unconstitutional.
“Keeping criminals off our streets and encouraging good parenting are crucial steps in improving public safety in Tennessee,” state Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, writes. “This remains my priority.”
A state measure that could put bail conditions in front of voters and change the Tennessee constitution will head to the House Tuesday, April 23.
New bail data was presented Wednesday, March 6, to members of the Shelby County Commission, and the numbers caused disagreements between court officials.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Memphian, the new mayor also talked about the need to keep suspects accused of violent crime in jail, what will happen with the Sheraton hotel and the latest documents released related to Tyre Nichols' death.
The report was in response to two resolutions passed by county commissioners, both of which asked for data centered around the bail order.
A new Shelby County Standing Bail Order is intended to prevent people accused of crimes from being held in jail unnecessarily, fulfilling a constitutional right that bail shouldn’t be punitive. But some say more transparency and stricter bail schedules are needed to protect the community.Related content:
Details from the Standing Bail Order for General Sessions Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee, outline the timeframe and process for new bail hearing procedures.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland called it “outrageous” that a person charged with first-degree murder would be so easily released from jail.
Six women will be bailed out of jail this week during Mother's Day Bail Out by the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter. Since 2017, the group has paid bail for 30 men and women in Memphis and Shelby County in its effort to end cash bail.
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