OUR WORK

Legislation

At the heart of our work is the fight for a smaller, more fair, and more just criminal legal system. We address both short-term and long-term needs within the system by clearing criminal records and paying bail while also advocating for substantial and meaningful reform.

In order to limit the impact of contact with the criminal legal system, we actively pursue legislative and policy reforms that reduce or remove barriers to justice. Very often, this means lowering or eliminating financial hurdles. 

LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES IN TENNESSEE

Laws that Just City has proposed, co-sponsored, or actively supported.

  • REDUCTION IN CONVICTION EXPUNGEMENT FEE SB1245/HB418
    Reduced the expungement fee for criminal convictions from $350 to $180.

    EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNGEMENT SB800/HB873
    Allows for the expunction of up to two qualifying offenses from a person’s record, an increase from one offense.

    JUVENILE EXPUNGEMENTS SB1244/HB577& SB1243/HB578
    Requires juvenile courts to inform people when their records are eligible to be expunged and reduces the age at which a person can apply for expungement of minor records from 18 to 17.

  • REDUCTION IN DIVERSION EXPUNGEMENT FEE SB2626/HB1862
    Reduced the expungement fee from $350 to $180 for a person whose charge was dismissed after successful completion of a pretrial diversion program.

    SAFEKEEPING REFORM SB1575/HB2106
    After unanimous approval by the Tennessee General Assembly, Governor Haslam signs a bill into law that prohibits the transfer of children to adult prisons for “safekeeping” purposes.

  • ELIMINATION OF STATE EXPUNGEMENT FEE SB797/HB941
    After being included in the Governor’s State of the State address and initial budget proposal, the House and Senate unanimously approved the elimination of the $180 state expungement fee.

    EXPUNGEMENT ELIGIBILITY NOTIFICATION SB778/HB266
    Requires a judge to notify a person convicted of a misdemeanor eligible for expunction of their eligibility and the time period after which the person can petition for expunction.

    CITATION IN LIEU OF ARREST SB587/HB715
    Broadens and encourages the use of citations in lieu of physical arrest and limits arrest to instances where failure to appear is likely or prosecution would be jeopardized without arrest.

  • EXPANSION LIST OF CONVICTIONS ELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT SB675/HB888

    Expands the list of eligible convictions for expunction- adds 2 class E felonies, 32 Class D felonies, and 24 Class C felonies. Removes requirement for local clerks to charge $100 fee for an expunction. Ensures notification is given to an individual about how to expunge their record if their charges are dismissed or not pursued. Requires a court that denies a person’s request for an expunction to explain in writing the reason for denial.

    NOTIFICATION OF EXPUNGEMENT ELIGIBILITY SB965/HB1319

    Requires judges, at the time of sentencing, to notify a person convicted of an offense eligible for an expunction of their eligibility to have all public records of the conviction destroyed and the time period after which the person may petition for an expunction. It also requires the administrative office of the courts to provide judges handling criminal matters with a document listing each offense eligible for expunction and the time period after which the offense is eligible.

  • BROADEN ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNGEMENT SB1781/HB1679

    Allows a person to petition for expungement even if the person has been convicted of a subsequent criminal offense that is ineligible for expunction.

    ABILITY TO REDUCE SENTENCE FOR DRUG-FREE SCHOOL ZONE VIOLATION SB1528/HB1449

    Allows a defendant to motion the court that imposed a sentence for a drug-free school zone violation prior to September 1, 2020, and to be resentenced if certain criteria are met.

    APPLICATION OF CURRENT EXPUNGEMENT ELIGIBILITY TO CONVICTIONS 30+ YEARS OLD SB2001/HB2102

    Revises the eligibility requirements to reflect current eligibility rules for petitioning for expunction of public records related to a conviction for a felony or misdemeanor committed prior to November 1, 1989.

    OPENING OF RECORDS OF INMATE DEATHS SB 2802/HB 2613

    Requires all state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, correctional agencies, and courts to maintain a record of deaths of individuals in custody that is open for public inspection and that contains: The identity and age of the deceased individual; The time and date of the death, and; The cause of death as determined by the county or state medical examiner.

    EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR EXPUNGEMENT FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS SB2303/HB2234

    Removes the requirement for at least one conviction for prostitution in the expunction of public records of a human trafficking victim.

What we’ve done:

  • Proposed and supported successful bipartisan legislation (see next section for examples).

  • Raised public awareness of damaging legislative proposals and alternative solutions with earned media and targeted local and statewide communication.

  • Raised public awareness of damaging legislative proposals and alternative solutions and targeted local and statewide communication using earned media.

  • Supported lawmakers from both parties with testimony and other information relevant to proposed criminal justice legislation. 

How we can change it for good:

  • Increase public understanding and awareness of long term impact of criminal justice legislation. 

  • Support policy makers and legislative representatives that reflect the opinions of our community and support a more sensible justice system that keeps us safe and costs less.

  • Significantly decrease the scope of the criminal code and limit the impact of incarceration and retributive sentences.