TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Apr 9, 2020

Judges from the Davidson County Criminal Court and General Sessions Court have denied a blanket release of many inmates from Nashville jails, the Tennessean reports. Nashville public defenders wanted the courts to issue an order immediately releasing almost all nonviolent inmates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the district attorney’s office argued that the order would “imperil public safety” and potentially violate the Victim’s Rights Amendment and pushed for the release of those whose cases have been approved by a judge. Criminal court judges agreed with the DA’s office on Wednesday and denied the motion in that court, instead ordering hearings for each of the more than 1,000 inmates. General Session judges held a hearing on the matter this morning and released an order denying the motion. One inmate and one staff member from a Davidson County Sheriff's Office facility have tested positive for COVID-19.