Just City sues over TN law limiting considerations on bail affordability

Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal

Memphis Commercial Appeal

“Local bail reform nonprofit Just City, alongside the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, is suing officials in Shelby County's criminal justice system over a state law that prevents judges from considering someone's financial condition when setting bail.

The law was sponsored by Shelby County Republicans Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. John Gillespie and became law in May this year.

According to the lawsuit, the law violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections for due process and equal protection. Just City said the law established a "discriminatory wealth-based detention" with its passage.”