Bill > HB0920

This bill amends Tennessee law to prohibit defendants charged with certain serious offenses from being released on their own promise to appear in court (personal recognizance) or on an unsecured bond, which is a promise to pay a certain amount if they don't appear. Instead, a magistrate must require these defendants to post bail, which is a sum of money or property that ensures their appearance in court and the safety of the community. The offenses covered include Class A and Class B felonies, aggravated assault, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer or first responder, and felony domestic assault. For these offenses, there is a presumption that bail should be set at $10,000 or more, and a judge must provide written reasons if they decide to set it lower, to justify why a lower amount is still sufficient to ensure the defendant's appearance and community safety.