Senate Bill 1945, also known as House Bill 1980, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 11, concerning the conditions under which a defendant's bail may be revoked. The bill specifically deletes the existing subsection (b) and replaces it with new language that outlines the circumstances under which a court may temporarily revoke a defendant's bond. If a defendant, after being released on personal recognizance or an approved bond, violates any conditions of their release, is charged with a new offense, or obstructs the trial process, the court can issue a written order to temporarily hold the defendant without bail for up to ten days while a bail revocation hearing is conducted.

Following the hearing, if the court determines that the defendant has indeed violated the conditions of their bond, it has the authority to permanently revoke the bond and keep the defendant in custody without bail until trial or throughout the trial process. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order and compliance during legal proceedings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40-11-141