Heated hearing on constitutional change to let judges deny bail for certain charges; committee advances resolution

A constitutional amendment that would give Tennessee judges explicit authority to deny pretrial bail for a broader set of charges drew extended testimony from both sides during a long Judiciary Committee hearing.

Leader Johnson introduced Senate Joint Resolution 25, which would amend Article I, Section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution so judges could deny bail before conviction for additional offenses beyond capital murder. Johnson said the change aims to let judges consider public‑safety risk when setting or denying bail for crimes such as terrorism, aggravated sexual offenses involving children and other offenses listed in the state’s Truth and Sentencing law; the resolution would also require judges who deny bail to state the reasoning on the record.

The committee heard roughly equal numbers of witnesses urging 'yes' and 'no.' Supporting testimony included Rafael Mangual of the Manhattan Institute and other criminal-justice researchers who said pretrial detention can prevent repeat violent offenses.…