TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 1, 2024

Nashville has seen a recent string of violent suspects who have been released from custody after doctors determined they were mentally unfit to stand trial, but not a risk to themselves or others. In several recent cases, such individuals are alleged to have committed additional violent crimes after release. Two new state laws go into effect today to try to fix the system by mandating mental health evaluations and treatment for misdemeanor offenders and requiring automatic commitment for anyone deemed mentally unfit to stand trial. The Tennessean reviews three, high-profile cases. In related news, the paper also looks at concerns that the new laws will leave more people languishing in overcrowded jails due to the state’s lack of treatment programs and staffing for psychiatric beds.