Criminal Justice (Judges)

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1474: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, restates the criminal offense of drag racing as street drag racing; expands the offense to include acts committed on commercial property; authorizes a vehicle used in the commission of the offense or to flee after commission of the offense to be impounded for the purpose of collecting evidence; makes various other changes regarding the offense of street drag racing. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 39; Title 40; Title 55 and Title 68.

SB 1474 redefines "drag racing" as "street drag racing" throughout Tennessee law and expands the offense to include reckless driving or drifting stunts on commercial properties (like shopping centers), not just public roads. It defines "drifting" as steering to lose traction for skidding, allows police to impound vehicles used in the offense or to flee, and makes reckless endangerment from street drag racing a Class E felony. The bill directly affects drivers engaging in street racing or drifting, property owners on commercial sites where such activities occur, and law enforcement handling related arrests. Key changes include requiring arrests to be taken before a magistrate (not issued a citation) and mandating vehicle impoundment for evidence collection.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of street drag racing to commercial properties, elevates to Class E felony, increasing penalties and restricting driver activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Policing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 34: 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.

HB 34 (Tennessee) changes how juvenile court records can be used in adult criminal cases. It permits courts to include juvenile records (like case outcomes and evidence) in pretrial reports used to set bond for certain criminal offenses. The bill also requires judges to consider a defendant's prior juvenile record when assessing their risk of harming the community. This directly affects individuals with past juvenile court involvement who face adult criminal charges, altering how their history influences bond decisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill permits juvenile records to be used in adult bond hearings and risk assessment, potentially increasing pretrial detention and punitive outcomes. This expands criminalization of past behavior and reduces defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Juvenile Justice

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track