Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1633: Sentencing - As enacted, requires a sentencing court to order the sentences for two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim to run consecutively unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts of the case do not warrant the imposition of consecutive sentences and the imposition of consecutive sentences would not be in the best interest of justice. - Amends TCA Title 40.

SB 1633 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentences aren't warranted and wouldn't harm justice. This applies to all cases with multiple minor victims, regardless of whether the offenses occurred together. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors and sentencing courts, changing how they handle sentencing for these cases. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for multiple minor victim offenses, increasing sentencing severity and opposing criminal justice reform trends that reduce mandatory harsh penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1895: DUI Offenses - As introduced, allows a person convicted of driving under the influence of an intoxicant involving alcohol or opioids to agree to receive naltrexone injections at the person's own expense for a period of 12 continuous months in lieu of being required to operate only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

SB 1895 allows individuals convicted of DUI involving alcohol or opioids to choose receiving naltrexone injections (paid for by the individual) for 12 months instead of being required to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. This option is available at the court's discretion during sentencing for DUI offenses under Tennessee law. The court must include reporting requirements for the naltrexone treatment as a probation condition, and failure to comply could lead to probation revocation. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-409 to implement this alternative sentencing mechanism. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeOffers addiction treatment (naltrexone) as alternative sentencing for DUI, promoting rehabilitation over punitive measures and addressing root causes of offenses.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides naltrexone treatment (for opioid/alcohol addiction) as an alternative to ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders, facilitating access to substance use disorder healthcare within sentencing.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationReplaces mandatory ignition interlock (vehicle safety device) with medical treatment, reducing enforcement of transportation safety standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1928: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, adds "a victim" to the definition of an individual involved in the judicial process for purposes of the criminal offense of harming or threatening to harm an individual involved in the judicial process; makes various other changes regarding victims of crime. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1928 updates Tennessee law to clarify who qualifies as a "victim" in criminal cases. It adds victims and their representatives to court procedures (e.g., allowing a victim’s designated representative to attend proceedings), expands the definition to include entities like insurance companies that compensated victims, and specifies protections for victims in cases involving vehicular homicide or evading arrest that caused injury. This directly affects crime victims seeking legal protections during court proceedings. The bill makes these definitions more explicit to ensure victims’ voices are heard in the judicial process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim protections by clarifying definitions, allowing representatives to attend proceedings, and including entities like insurance companies, directly strengthening victim-centered criminal justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1748: Clerks, Court - As enacted, requires a person ordered to use an ignition interlock device to provide the clerk of the court with documentation showing qualifications for certain assistance on the date the person was ordered to use the device to show need to participate in the electronic monitoring indigency fund. - Amends TCA Section 55-10-419.

HB 1748 requires individuals ordered to use an ignition interlock device (typically for DUI offenses) to provide the court clerk with documentation proving they qualify for financial assistance (like Medicaid or food stamps) on the date they were ordered to use the device. The bill amends Tennessee law to mandate this documentation and authorizes the state treasurer to verify eligibility through agreements with state agencies. It directly affects DUI offenders who may qualify for reduced costs on ignition interlock devices through the electronic monitoring indigency fund. The key mechanism is creating a verification process to determine eligibility for cost assistance, replacing previous requirements with a standardized documentation and state agency cooperation system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires financial documentation for DUI offenders to access reduced ignition interlock costs, reducing barriers for indigent defendants and promoting compliance without undue hardship, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1704: Immigration - As enacted, creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally failing or refusing to depart when a final order of removal is outstanding; creates the Class A misdemeanor of intentionally entering, attempting to enter, or being found in this state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed from the United States. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1704 would create two Class A misdemeanors in Tennessee: (1) intentionally failing to leave the state within 90 days after a final federal removal order, and (2) intentionally re-entering the state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed by federal authorities. It directly affects undocumented immigrants subject to federal removal orders or denied entry, making certain immigration status violations criminal offenses. The bill requires courts to pause criminal proceedings until individuals exhaust all federal legal options to challenge the removal order. The law’s key provisions are conditional, with Section 2 (re-entry offense) only taking effect after specific federal court decisions or legislative changes affecting state immigration authority.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes immigration status violations, expanding criminalization of non-violent acts and increasing criminal justice system involvement for immigration matters.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationCreates Class A misdemeanors for failing to depart after removal order or re-entering post-removal, increasing state-level immigration enforcement against undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1471: Courts - As enacted, removes a conviction for domestic assault from the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts; changes the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts from an offender with a conviction for an offense involving certain acts to an offender with a conviction for a felony offense involving certain acts within the previous 10 years. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 22.

HB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug treatment court eligibility by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to drug treatment programs (a healthcare service) by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, broadening eligibility for treatment courts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Violent Crime

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 1945: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, allows the court to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order the defendant held without bail for no more than 10 days pending a bail revocation hearing if the defendant violates a condition of release, is charged with an offense committed during the defendant's release, or engages in conduct that results in the obstruction of the orderly and expeditious progress of the trial. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 11.

SB 1945 amends Tennessee's bail laws to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order them held without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new offense while released, or disrupt trial proceedings. This directly affects defendants who are already on bail but breach their release terms. The bill requires courts to issue a written order and schedule a hearing before imposing the temporary hold, with a separate hearing needed for permanent bond revocation. The change modifies existing procedures under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 11, without creating new offenses or penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant rights by enabling temporary detention without bail for violations, opposing reform efforts to reduce pretrial detention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2023: Victims' Rights - As enacted, authorizes a court clerk to increase the victims assistance assessment from $45 to $125, with the first $15 of each assessment being paid to the court clerk for processing and handling and the remaining amount being transmitted to the county in which the offense occurred for the exclusive use of the victims assistance program previously designated by the county legislative body. - Amends TCA Section 40-24-109.

HB 2023 increases the victims assistance assessment fee from $45 to $125 for individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to criminal offenses in Tennessee courts. The first $15 of the fee goes to the court clerk for processing costs, while the remaining $110 is directed to county-designated victim assistance programs. This change applies to all criminal cases where a defendant enters a guilty plea, is found guilty, enters a nolo contendere plea, or is found criminally responsible for qualifying offenses. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-24-109, to implement this funding shift without altering eligibility for victim services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases victims' assessment fee to fund county victim assistance programs, directly allocating $110 per case to public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases victim assistance funding from $45 to $125, directing $110 to county victim programs, directly strengthening victims' rights within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1980: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, allows the court to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and order the defendant held without bail for no more than 10 days pending a bail revocation hearing if the defendant violates a condition of release, is charged with an offense committed during the defendant's release, or engages in conduct that results in the obstruction of the orderly and expeditious progress of the trial. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 11.

HB 1980 amends Tennessee's bail law to allow courts to temporarily revoke a defendant's bond and hold them without bail for up to 10 days if they violate release conditions, commit a new crime while out, or obstruct court proceedings. This temporary hold requires a written court order and a hearing within the 10-day period. If violations are confirmed at the hearing, the court may permanently revoke bail, requiring the defendant to remain in custody until trial. The bill directly affects defendants released on bail who breach their conditions, changing existing procedures for managing such cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts defendant rights by enabling temporary bail revocation for violations, increasing pretrial detention without reform focus, aligning with 'reduces defendant rights' indicator.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1717: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of knowingly violating a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or conditions of probation or parole following conviction for certain criminal offenses in which the alleged victim of the offense is a domestic abuse victim; punishes a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1717 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly violate a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole conditions following a conviction for a domestic abuse offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse crimes who break court-ordered no contact restrictions with the alleged victim. The bill amends Tennessee law to expand the scope of violations to include post-conviction orders (not just pre-trial) and clarifies that violations apply when the alleged victim is defined as a domestic abuse victim under state law. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protection by criminalizing no-contact order violations post-conviction for domestic abuse, advancing accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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