Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A bill that would require judges to provide justification for releasing defendants on their own recognizance passed through the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
House Bill 0033 (HB0033), sponsored by State Representative John Gillespie (R-Memphis-District 97), would change Tennessee’s current bail system by making the default presumption be “that a defendant should not be released on the defendant’s personal recognizance” if the defendant is charged with an offense involving “the use or display of a firearm” or if the offense resulted in “serious bodily injury or death of the victim.”
The legislation also stipulates that if a judge opts to grant release on the defendant’s own recognizance, that judge must provide a written statement of their reasons for doing so.
State Representative Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville-District 90) brought the only question regarding the legislation, asking why the bill says “use OR display” if Tennessee is an open carry state.
There were 11 votes in favor of the bill and 5 votes against it. State Representative Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown-District 38) was one of those no votes.
HB0033 has been placed on the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee calendar for March 19. Contact information provided below.
Rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jesse.chism@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mark.cochran@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lee.reeves@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.zachary@capitol.tn.gov
