Bill > SB0900

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 money or property deposited with the court to ensure their appearance 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, explaining why that amount is sufficient to ensure the defendant's appearance and community safety. This change aims to address criminal justice concerns by keeping potentially dangerous individuals in custody or ensuring their accountability through bail.