TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 11, 2024

A new University of Memphis study examining Shelby County's recent bail reform found a slight increase in both pre-trial releases and rearrests. The study, which acknowledges limitations due to data scope, showed a decrease in median bail amounts following the implementation of a standing bail order in February 2023, according to the Commercial Appeal. However, the use of non-monetary release options varied significantly between judicial commissioners, and median bail amounts for some major crimes actually rose. The study also found that bail hearings often resulted in lower bail amounts compared to initial settings. Researchers are planning further studies to explore the long-term impact of the bail reform.