Bill > SB1677

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, significantly alters the rules for excluding evidence in criminal cases in Tennessee by limiting when courts can suppress evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights. Specifically, evidence will generally not be excluded unless it was obtained through deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct, or through recurring or systemic negligence that violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and suppressing the evidence would contradict a clearly established U.S. Supreme Court ruling; this means Tennessee courts cannot create their own rules for excluding evidence that go beyond federal requirements. Furthermore, if a court decides to suppress evidence, the state now has the right to an immediate appeal directly to the Tennessee Supreme Court, which must expedite these cases and can only affirm the suppression if the state agrees that a U.S. Supreme Court precedent mandates it, otherwise, proceedings in the trial court will be paused until the appeal is resolved.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1677&ga=114