KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Voters have decided to pass both proposed constitutional amendments impacting the criminal justice system in Tennessee.
Tennessee voters decided to pass amendment one, which sought to increase the number of crimes for which judges can deny bail, with 67% of the vote, and passed amendment two, which sought to expand rights for victims of crimes, with 76% of the vote.
What Tennessee’s proposed amendments could mean for criminal justice
Amendment one sought to expand the portion of Tennessee’s constitution which gives judges the authority to deny bail for those accused of capital murder, to allow judges to also deny bail for judges to deny bail for other serious crimes, including second-degree murder, child rape, acts of terrorism and grave torture. Additionally, the amendment noted that judges would be required to record why they decided to grant or deny bail for someone accused of any of the crimes included in the list.
There are more than 20 other states that allow judges to deny bail for defendants in circumstances outside of capital murder.
Amendment three sought to expand the rights afforded to crime victims under the Tennessee constitution, including their right to participate in some court proceedings and the parole process. It was a version of Marsy’s law, a national movement working to strengthen victims rights, although Tennessee’s version had language to close a loophole that other states have argued would indirectly take away the rights of defendants.
Click here for a more in depth explanation on both of these amendments.
In addition to amendments one and three, there was also a second amendment on the ballot, which also passed.
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Source: www.yahoo.com
