Criminal Justice (Judges)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2170: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, requires the monthly report of the warden of a county workhouse for each prisoner placed under a work release program to be filed with the judge by whom the prisoner was sentenced on or before the fifteenth day of the month immediately following the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2170 requires county workhouse wardens to submit monthly reports to the sentencing judge about prisoners in work release programs. The reports, due by the 15th of each month, must detail each prisoner's conduct and financial achievements during the previous month. This bill directly affects county workhouses, wardens, and judges who oversee criminal sentences, updating Tennessee law (TCA Titles 5, 40, and 41) to mandate this judicial reporting. The key provision shifts reporting responsibility from previous entities to the sentencing judge, enhancing direct oversight of work release participants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting on work release participants' conduct/financial achievements to oversee rehabilitation progress, aligning with improving rehabilitation programs and reducing recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Judges Sentencing

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2203: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, requires the monthly report of the warden of a county workhouse for each prisoner placed under a work release program to be filed with the judge by whom the prisoner was sentenced on or before the fifteenth day of the month immediately following the reporting period. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 2203 requires county workhouse wardens to submit monthly reports to the sentencing judge about each prisoner in a work release program. The report, due by the 15th of the following month, must detail the prisoner's conduct and financial progress during the program. This affects county workhouse staff (who must file reports) and sentencing judges (who receive them). The bill amends Tennessee law to add this reporting requirement, focusing on transparency for judges overseeing work release participation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates judicial oversight of work release programs via monthly reports, enhancing transparency and accountability in rehabilitation efforts, aligning with reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 1973: Immigration - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Freedom from Unlawful Immigration Detention Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38; Title 40 and Title 41.

This bill prohibits Tennessee law enforcement from detaining individuals based solely on an ICE immigration request (detainer) or immigration status. It requires any detention or transfer to ICE to be based on a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge, showing probable cause for the specific person. Individuals unlawfully detained under this law may sue for damages of at least $1,000 per day, plus attorney fees. The law states ICE detainers have no legal effect in Tennessee and explicitly prohibits state officers from claiming federal policy as a defense for violating these rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits unlawful immigration detentions by law enforcement, protects civil rights, and requires judicial warrants - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like enhancing accountability and protecting defendant rights.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state detention based on ICE requests, requires judicial warrants, and allows lawsuits - directly limits state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1977: Probation and Parole - As introduced, specifies that if the trial judge finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has violated conditions of probation and suspension of sentence for a felony offense by engaging in conduct that constitutes a drug offense, then for the first instance of such a violation, the trial judge must order the defendant to attend a substance abuse treatment program and must not revoke the defendant's probation and suspension of sentence. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.

SB 1977 (Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-311(h)) modifies probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. It requires trial judges, for the first violation of this type, to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation - based on a preponderance of evidence. This applies directly to individuals on probation for felony drug offenses who breach probation terms. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and aims to prioritize treatment over immediate probation revocation for first-time violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates substance abuse treatment over probation revocation for first drug-related violations, prioritizing rehabilitation and reducing punitive measures per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance abuse treatment for first-time drug offense probation violations, prioritizing healthcare access over probation revocation per TCA §40-35-311(h).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Judges Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1599: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, prohibits a court from assessing court costs against a defendant in a criminal proceeding if the defendant is found not guilty by a jury or by a judge following a bench trial on all charges for which the defendant was accused, the prosecution is dismissed or a nolle prosequi is entered by the state, or the charges against the defendant are dismissed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1599 prohibits Tennessee courts from charging defendants with court costs in criminal cases when the defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge), charges are dismissed by the prosecution or court, or the state enters a nolle prosequi. It directly affects criminal defendants who are acquitted or have charges dropped, ensuring they won't face additional financial penalties for those outcomes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-11-102 and 40-25-123 to establish this rule, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change removes a financial burden for acquitted defendants, aligning court cost assessments with case outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents court costs for acquitted defendants, protecting civil rights by removing financial penalties for non-guilty outcomes in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1721: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, prohibits a court from assessing court costs against a defendant in a criminal proceeding if the defendant is found not guilty by a jury or by a judge following a bench trial on all charges for which the defendant was accused, the prosecution is dismissed or a nolle prosequi is entered by the state, or the charges against the defendant are dismissed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1721 would prevent courts from charging defendants with court costs in Tennessee criminal cases under three specific circumstances: when a defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge on all charges), when the state dismisses charges or enters a "nolle prosequi" (a formal decision not to prosecute), or when a court dismisses the charges. This directly affects individuals who are acquitted or have their criminal cases dropped without conviction. The bill amends Tennessee law to require courts to waive all court costs in these situations, eliminating financial penalties for cleared defendants. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents court costs for acquitted defendants, aligning with civil rights protection and reducing financial burdens in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1861: Probation and Parole - As introduced, specifies that if the trial judge finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has violated conditions of probation and suspension of sentence for a felony offense by engaging in conduct that constitutes a drug offense, then for the first instance of such a violation, the trial judge must order the defendant to attend a substance abuse treatment program and must not revoke the defendant's probation and suspension of sentence. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.

HB 1861 modifies Tennessee's probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. For a first-time violation involving a drug offense, the bill requires judges to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation and suspension of sentence. The law applies when a judge finds by "more likely than not" evidence that the violation occurred. This change aims to prioritize treatment over punishment for initial drug-related probation breaches.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates substance abuse treatment over probation revocation for first-time drug-related violations, prioritizing rehabilitation and reducing punitive measures in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance abuse treatment for first-time drug-related probation violations, directing offenders into healthcare services rather than punishment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Judges Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1734: Courts - As introduced, effective September 1, 2030, divides counties into five, instead of seven, different classes by population for the purpose of determining the compensation of general sessions and juvenile judges; revises provisions setting minimum salary requirements for general sessions and juvenile judges; establishes a county litigation tax on each civil, criminal, juvenile, and traffic case initiated in a general sessions or juvenile court to defray general sessions and juvenile judges' salaries; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 15, Part 50.

SB 1734 reorganizes Tennessee counties into five population-based classes (instead of seven) to determine salaries for general sessions and juvenile judges, effective September 1, 2030. It establishes a new county litigation tax on each civil, criminal, juvenile, and traffic case filed in these courts to fund judge salaries, with salary levels tied to county size. Judges in counties with populations over 30,000 (Classes 1-3) must work full-time without outside employment, while judges in smaller counties (Classes 4-5) may work part-time with some restrictions. The bill also includes rules for consolidated courts and ensures judges' salaries remain stable if a county's population class changes after election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new litigation tax on court cases to fund judicial salaries, directly increasing state revenue for budget purposes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds criminal court operations via new litigation tax on criminal cases to cover judge salaries, directly supporting court system funding in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 1937: Immigration - As introduced, enacts the “Tennessee Freedom from Unlawful Immigration Detention Act.” - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 38; Title 40 and Title 41.

HB 1937 prohibits Tennessee law enforcement agencies from detaining individuals based solely on ICE immigration detainers, administrative warrants, or suspected immigration status. It requires ICE to present a valid judicial warrant (signed by a judge, showing probable cause) for any detention or transfer to ICE, and bans transfers that extend detention beyond state law release dates. The bill creates civil liability for unlawful detention, allowing affected individuals to sue for $1,000 per day in damages plus attorney fees. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and explicitly states that compliance with ICE requests does not excuse violations of state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts unlawful immigration detentions by law enforcement, requiring judicial warrants and protecting civil rights, aligns with accountability reforms in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state detention based on immigration status, requires judicial warrants for ICE, creates civil liability - limits state cooperation with federal enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 854: Bail, Bail Bonds - As enacted, allows a magistrate to consider hearsay evidence when determining whether a defendant should be released on bail pending trial and the amount of bail necessary to reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant while at the same time protecting the safety of the public. - Amends TCA Title 24; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 854 allows Tennessee magistrates to consider reliable hearsay evidence, such as computer printouts of state and federal criminal records from the TBI and FBI, when deciding whether to release a defendant on bail and setting the bail amount. Defendants must be given a fair opportunity to challenge any such evidence used against them. This law directly affects individuals facing pretrial release decisions in Tennessee courts, changing how magistrates assess risk and public safety concerns during bail hearings. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-11-115(b) and 40-11-118(b) to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows hearsay evidence with defendant challenge rights, balancing public safety and due process in pretrial releases - aligns with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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