State Senate Passes Bail Amendment - Articles

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State Senate Passes Bail Amendment

Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Mar 18, 2025

The Tennessee Senate passed SJR25 on Monday, the first step in putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters. The measure would amend the constitution to allow judges to deny bond to suspects accused of committing heinous crimes. Under current law, judges only have authority to decline bail in capital offenses. In advance of the vote, the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference issued a press release and a resolution in support of the measure, telling Fox17 it is "the singular most important criminal justice bill we have evaluated in over a decade." Opponents of the bill say it will lead to overcrowding in jails and be too costly, and likely will not have an overall impact on crime. The next step is a vote in the House. The House Judiciary Committee approved its version on Feb. 26. If approved by the House, the measure would need to pass again in the 114th General Assembly before being placed on the next gubernatorial ballot. To be adopted by voters, the proposal would have to win a majority of those voting in the governor’s election.

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