Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 77: Juvenile Offenders - As introduced, requires a juvenile 16 years of age or older accused of a delinquent act to be transferred from juvenile court to criminal court to be tried as an adult if the juvenile has a prior adjudication of delinquency for any offense and the juvenile court finds probable cause to believe the juvenile committed the delinquent act. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Chapter 1007 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 77 would require Tennessee juvenile courts to automatically transfer 16-year-olds or older accused of a delinquent act to criminal court for adult trial if they have a prior delinquency adjudication and the court finds probable cause. This applies specifically to juveniles meeting all three conditions: age 16+, prior delinquency record, and probable cause for the current offense. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 37-1-134 and 37-1-159 to establish this transfer process, while excluding juveniles deemed developmentally disabled or mentally ill. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic transfer of juveniles to adult court, increasing criminalization and reducing rehabilitative options for youth with prior offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 521: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, creates a law enforcement investigatory privilege; prohibits a subpoena from being issued for a civil or criminal proceeding for information protected by the law enforcement privilege. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 1, Part 2 and Title 40, Chapter 17, Part 1.

SB 521 creates a new "law enforcement investigatory privilege" in Tennessee, protecting certain information gathered during active criminal investigations. It prohibits civil or criminal court subpoenas from demanding details covered by this privilege (such as evidence or witness statements) while an investigation is ongoing. The privilege applies until the case closes through dismissal, acquittal, or expiration of appeal deadlines. This directly affects law enforcement agencies (who gain protection for their investigative materials) and individuals or entities seeking such information through court subpoenas. The bill does not override constitutional rights or change standard subpoena procedures for law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates law enforcement privilege shielding investigatory details from subpoenas, reducing judicial oversight during active cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 457: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, decreases from 0.20 to 0.15 percent the minimum weight of alcohol concentration in a defendant's blood or breath as an element of the offense of aggravated vehicular assault and in a defendant's blood as an element of the offense of aggravated vehicular homicide. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 13.

SB 457 lowers the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold for aggravated vehicular assault and homicide in Tennessee. It reduces the required BAC level from 0.20% to 0.15% for these offenses, making it easier to prove these crimes in court. The bill directly affects drivers charged with serious alcohol-related offenses under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-115 (aggravated vehicular assault) and 39-13-218 (aggravated vehicular homicide). The change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all cases filed on or after that date. This is a substantive policy adjustment to the legal definition of these crimes, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLowers BAC threshold to expand criminalization of drunk driving, making prosecution easier under criminal justice laws90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 625: Mental Illness - As introduced, establishes a rebuttable presumption that a person poses an imminent substantial likelihood of serious harm and needs emergency detention and examination if the person was charged with one of certain criminal offenses and ordered by the criminal, circuit, or general sessions court to undergo an evaluation to determine whether the person is incompetent to stand trial or the person's mental capacity at the time of the commission of the crime; requires clear and convincing evidence to rebut the presumption. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 40 and Title 52.

HB 625 creates an automatic presumption requiring emergency detention and mental evaluation for defendants charged with specific serious crimes (those carrying 85% mandatory sentence time before parole eligibility) who are ordered by a court to undergo a mental evaluation for competency or mental state at the time of the crime. This presumption can only be overturned by "clear and convincing evidence" showing the person poses no immediate risk of serious harm. The bill directly affects criminal defendants in Tennessee facing certain violent or severe offenses who are undergoing court-ordered mental health assessments. It amends Tennessee law in Titles 33, 40, and 52 to establish this new standard for emergency detention.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic detention for specific defendants with high burden to rebut, restricting defendant rights by presuming risk without sufficient evidence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 388: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, requires a court or magistrate to impose global positioning monitoring as a condition of release for a defendant accused of certain offenses, unless the court or magistrate enters written findings that the defendant does not pose a threat to the victim or public safety; requires the administrative office of the courts to compile an annual report of the number of defendants subject to such an order. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 55; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 388 requires courts to mandate GPS tracking for defendants accused of specific offenses - such as firearm use, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat crimes - during pretrial release, unless the court documents in writing that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. It applies to defendants awaiting trial for these listed offenses, directly affecting their release conditions. Courts must report monthly data on GPS orders to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual report for legislative committees by July 1 each year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, amending Tennessee Code sections related to criminal procedure and bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates GPS monitoring for pretrial release in specific offenses, restricting defendant rights without clear reform intent; aligns with 'reduces defendant rights' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 1064: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, makes various changes to criminal law, including requiring defendants accused of certain offenses to be subject to a global positioning monitoring system as condition of bail. - Amends TCA Title 10; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 1064 requires courts to order GPS monitoring for defendants accused of specific serious offenses as a condition of bail, including cases involving firearms, domestic assault, vehicle burglary, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat offenses. It directly affects individuals charged with these offenses who are released before trial. Key provisions mandate GPS monitoring unless the court finds the defendant no longer poses a threat, require monthly court reporting on monitored defendants, and update bail condition procedures. The bill also modifies related laws to clarify victim protections and reporting requirements for violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires GPS monitoring for pretrial release on specific offenses, restricting defendant freedom and increasing surveillance, reducing pretrial rights90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 33: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, establishes a presumption that a defendant should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance if the defendant is charged with a felony offense that involved the use or display of a firearm or resulted in the serious bodily injury or death of the victim; requires a magistrate who determines that the presumption has been rebutted to include in the bail order written findings for each factor considered in making such a determination. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 33 establishes a new rule for pretrial release in Tennessee: defendants charged with offenses involving firearm use/display or causing serious injury/death are presumed not to be released on their own promise to return to court (personal recognizance). This directly affects individuals facing these specific charges during initial court hearings. If a judge decides to override this presumption, they must provide written reasons for each factor considered in their decision. The bill amends Tennessee law to take effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts pretrial release for firearm/serious injury offenses, requiring judicial justification to override presumption, reducing defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 445: Criminal Procedure - As enacted, revises the procedure for restoration of rights of citizenship. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 22; Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 445 updates Tennessee's process for restoring voting rights after felony convictions. It replaces vague language about "restoring citizenship rights" with specific requirements that voting rights must be restored "as prescribed by law" for each felony conviction. The bill explicitly bans voting rights restoration for certain serious offenses, including first-degree murder, aggravated rape, treason, and voter fraud (with expanded restrictions for some crimes after 2006). This affects individuals with felony convictions who previously had their voting rights restored through court orders or pardons. The law became effective on May 13, 2025, after becoming Public Chapter 298.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts voting rights restoration for serious offenses like murder/rape, limiting post-conviction rights instead of advancing reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 10, 2025

SB 237: Juvenile Offenders - As introduced, requires a juvenile 16 years of age or older accused of a delinquent act to be transferred from juvenile court to criminal court to be tried as an adult if the juvenile has a prior adjudication of delinquency for any offense and the juvenile court finds probable cause to believe the juvenile committed the delinquent act. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39 and Chapter 1007 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 237 requires Tennessee juvenile courts to automatically transfer to adult criminal court any 16-year-old or older youth accused of a delinquent act (a crime if committed by an adult) who has a prior court finding of delinquency for any offense. The transfer happens if the court finds probable cause the youth committed the current act and the youth is not committable to a mental health facility. Juveniles and their families must receive 14 days' written notice before a hearing to determine if these conditions are met. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2025, changing how certain repeat juvenile offenders are processed in the justice system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates automatic transfer of juveniles to adult court, bypassing rehabilitation-focused juvenile system and imposing harsher penalties, opposing criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 221: Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, permits a court to use juvenile court records, including the disposition and evidence, in pretrial reports used to set bond for certain criminal offenses; requires the magistrate to consider the defendant's prior juvenile record in determining the defendant's risk of danger to the community. - Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 40.

SB 221 allows Tennessee courts to use juvenile court records - including past dispositions and evidence - in pretrial reports for setting bond in certain criminal cases. It requires magistrates to consider a defendant's prior juvenile record when determining their risk of danger to the community. This change directly affects individuals with prior juvenile court involvement who are facing criminal charges and undergoing bond hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 37-1-133, 37-1-153, and 40-11-118 to permit this use of juvenile records, which were previously prohibited in non-juvenile court proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill requires using juvenile records in bond determinations, potentially increasing pretrial detention risks for defendants with juvenile history, reducing defendant rights per oppose indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice