Criminal Justice (Courts)

failed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 256: Appeal and Review - As enacted, authorizes criminal defendants who plead guilty, best interest, or no contest to also petition for a writ of error coram nobis based on evidence that was, through no fault of the defendant, unknown to the defendant at the time of the plea. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 256 allows criminal defendants in Tennessee who previously entered a guilty plea, "best interest" plea, or no-contest plea to later petition a court for a special review (writ of error coram nobis) if they have new evidence proving their actual innocence. This new evidence must not have been known to them at the time of their plea, such as DNA results or witness testimony. The bill requires courts to hold a hearing if the petition is valid, with the defendant needing to prove innocence by "clear and convincing evidence" to get a new trial. It applies to all convictions regardless of trial type and removes filing fees for these petitions. This change directly affects defendants seeking to overturn pleas based on newly discovered evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to petition for innocence claims via writ of error coram nobis, enhancing post-conviction review and protecting defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 1031: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates an exception to the requirement that a petitioner pay the costs of a petition to restore the person's citizenship rights if the court finds that the petitioner is indigent. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1031 would amend Tennessee law to require courts to waive the costs of filing a petition to restore a person's citizenship rights for individuals determined to be indigent. Currently, petitioners must pay these costs unless the court finds them indigent, but the bill makes this exception automatic by stating costs must be waived upon a finding of indigence. This directly affects individuals with criminal convictions seeking to regain civil rights (such as voting eligibility) who cannot afford court fees. The key provision removes the upfront payment requirement for indigent petitioners without altering eligibility for rights restoration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill waives court costs for indigent petitioners seeking restored citizenship rights (e.g., voting), directly advancing civil rights restoration in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 547: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, requires the clerk of every court having jurisdiction of criminal offenses to include a $12.50 charge in every cost bill, to be remitted to the county government to provide support services for the purpose of promoting public safety at the sole discretion of the district attorney general; takes effect upon two-thirds vote of the county legislative body; requires a district attorney general receiving funding to submit an annual report. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 547 requires court clerks in Tennessee to add a $12.50 fee to every misdemeanor and felony cost bill. The collected funds must be paid to the county government (or the district attorney general’s office in multi-county districts) to support public safety services, with the district attorney general having sole discretion over how to use the money. The bill takes effect only after a two-thirds vote by the county legislative body, and district attorneys must submit annual reports detailing fund usage. It does not apply to non-moving traffic violations and is supplemental to existing funding for district attorneys.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates $12.50 court fee to fund public safety services via district attorney general, explicitly stating purpose is 'promoting public safety' as per bill text.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1107: Attorneys at Law - As introduced, specifies that an attorney who, while acting in the capacity of counsel for a client or an identifiable prospective client, engages in conduct that constitutes the offense of perjury, aggravated perjury, subornation of perjury, tampering with or fabricating evidence, destruction or tampering with governmental records, or coercion or persuasion of a witness is not immune from prosecution. - Amends TCA Title 23, Chapter 3; Title 27 and Title 39.

SB 1107 removes legal immunity for Tennessee attorneys who commit serious misconduct during court proceedings, such as lying under oath, tampering with evidence, or coercing witnesses. It directly affects attorneys representing clients or prospective clients in court by making them subject to criminal prosecution for specific offenses defined in state law. The bill amends Tennessee Code to explicitly state that attorneys are not protected by the litigation privilege when engaging in acts like perjury, subornation of perjury, or falsifying evidence. This change aims to uphold court integrity by holding attorneys accountable for actions that undermine truth in legal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves attorney immunity for perjury/evidence tampering, strengthening court integrity and accountability in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 489: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, requires a defendant who is ordered to wear a transdermal monitoring device or alternative device, including other alternative alcohol or drug monitoring device, or global positioning monitoring device, as a condition of pretrial release, and who has not been determined by the court to be indigent, to pay all fees associated with the installation, monitoring, maintenance, and operation of the device. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55.

HB 489 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to submit an annual report by February 1st on the effectiveness of programs that divert offenders from state correctional facilities. The report must be sent to three specific legislative committees: the House committee on criminal justice, the Senate judiciary committee, and the Senate fiscal review committee. This bill amends Tennessee law to establish this reporting requirement but does not change existing diversion programs or policies. The measure focuses on creating a regular process for legislative oversight of current correctional practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates annual report on diversion program effectiveness to improve criminal justice reform efforts, aligning with reform indicators like reducing incarceration pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 490: Expunction - As introduced, permits the expunction of a Class E felony conviction for official misconduct. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

SB 490 would have allowed individuals convicted of a Class E felony for "official misconduct" to have their court records erased from public access. This bill directly affected people with such convictions who met specific eligibility criteria. The key provision would have amended Tennessee law to create a new expunction pathway for this specific offense, enabling the destruction of related court records. However, the bill failed in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates expunction pathway for Class E felony official misconduct, reducing barriers to rehabilitation and employment for eligible individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SR 120: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges Supreme Court to draft and adopt codes of conduct in the court rules for district attorneys general, district public defenders, and court clerks; urges Supreme Court to create panel to investigate current complaints of misconduct regarding three elected district attorneys general. -

Senate Resolution 120 is a non-binding resolution urging the Tennessee Supreme Court to take two specific actions. It requests the court draft and adopt formal codes of conduct for district attorneys general, district public defenders, and court clerks - officials currently lacking such rules. Additionally, it asks the court to form a panel to investigate recent misconduct complaints against three elected district attorneys general. The resolution does not create new laws but seeks to establish accountability mechanisms for these justice system roles.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges codes of conduct and misconduct investigations for DA/public defender roles, enhancing accountability in criminal justice oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SJR 9: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee to expand the rights of victims of crimes. -

SJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand rights for crime victims in Tennessee by replacing Article I, Section 35 of the state constitution. The amendment would guarantee victims specific rights, including timely notice of court proceedings, the right to be present at hearings, the ability to provide input during sentencing and parole decisions, and access to restitution from offenders. These rights would apply to all victims of crime as defined by law, with the General Assembly retaining authority to create implementing laws. The amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victims' rights in court proceedings and sentencing, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and system transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 710: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, requires the punishment for the offense of misuse of official information to include at least 30 hours of community service work to be determined by the court, in addition to any other punishment authorized by law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 16, Part 4.

SB 710 amends Tennessee law to require that public servants convicted of misusing official information (a Class B misdemeanor) must complete at least 30 hours of community service, determined by the court, in addition to any other penalties allowed under law. This bill directly affects public employees who misuse their position or access to official information. The key provision adds a mandatory community service requirement to existing punishments for this specific offense, as outlined in amended Tennessee Code § 39-16-404(b). The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds mandatory community service for public servant misuse of information, promoting rehabilitation over pure punishment per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 1395: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, restores the right of suffrage for persons convicted of an infamous crime after expiration of the sentence imposed for the infamous crime; removes requirement that the person pay restitution and court costs and be current in all child support obligations before having the person's right of suffrage restored; permits a person to have the right of suffrage restored without having the person's full rights of citizenship restored. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

HB 1395 restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" once their sentence (including incarceration, probation, or parole) ends, without requiring them to pay restitution, court costs, or be current on child support. The bill removes previous barriers by automatically reinstating voting rights upon sentence completion, rather than requiring court approval or full citizenship restoration. It specifically affects individuals with such convictions who have served their sentences, clarifying that only voting rights - not full citizenship - are restored. The law updates voter registration forms and election codes to reflect this change, ensuring eligibility is determined solely by sentence completion. This policy change applies to convictions both before and after May 18, 1981.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights automatically after sentence completion without financial barriers, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing recidivism barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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