Filed Date: March 24, 2020
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
On March 24, 2020, the Choosing Justice Initiative and dozens of criminal justice and prison advocacy groups filed this emergency petition in the Tennessee Supreme Court. The petitioners asked the Court to supplement its earlier order from March 13, 2020 that suspended in-person court proceedings. They sought additional directives to protect the health and safety of incarcerated persons from risks associated with COVID-19 outbreaks inside jails, juvenile detention centers, and prison facilities in Tennessee. The petitioners argued that under state law, the Tennessee State Court had the authority to reduce the threat of COIVD-19 for those in contact with Tennessee's correctional systems and the greater community. They also asked the court to order police departments to issue criminal citations or summons in lieu of arrest when possible. In the petition, the coalition of organizations sought the release of prisoners who
-are serving a misdemeanor sentence;
-are over the age of 50, considered medically fragile, or pregnant;
- are eligible for release on bail, but remain in jail because they cannot afford to pay a money bail condition or court-ordered pretrial monitoring fees;
-are children detained on delinquency charges;
-are persons confined on pending probation or parole violation charges;
-have been granted parole upon the condition that they complete a program prior to release;
-have reached their parole eligibility date;
-are serving sentences solely for drug offenses;
-have less than three years remaining on their sentence; or
-have been in continuous custody for 25 years or more.
The next day, on March 25, 2020, the Court issued an order continuing the March 13th suspension of in-person court proceedings. The Court also ordered local judges to come up with plans for reducing jail populations in their jurisdictions as part of the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order directed each judicial district to submit a plan for a reduction by Monday, March 30.
On April 24, 2020, the Court extended the suspension of in-person court proceedings to May 31 and suspension of jury trials through July 3. Orders of protection and temporary injunctions set to expire between March 13 to May 31 were extended to June 5. According to the latest order on May 26, the suspension of jury trials remains through July 3. Orders of protection and temporary injunctions were further extended through June 15.
Summary Authors
Emily Kempa (4/1/2020)
Averyn Lee (6/14/2020)
Bivins, Jeffrey S. (Tennessee)
Clark, Cornelia A. (Tennessee)
Kirby, Holly M. (Tennessee)
Lee, Sharon G. (Tennessee)
Deaner, C. Dawn (Tennessee)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 3:28 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 24, 2020
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Dozens of criminal justice and prison advocacy organizations
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Tennessee Supreme Court, State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Special Case Type(s):
Appellate Court is initial court
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
COVID-19:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions: