New bail forms will include defendants’ criminal history

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County will begin using a new process to get more information about a defendants’ criminal history in order to better determine bail amounts.

County leaders including the District Attorney and the mayor announced the effort Thursday, saying it will make it harder for violent offenders to get out of jail, and closing what some have called a “revolving door” at the Criminal Justice Center.

“There has been a fair amount of public concern of late over the bail system,” D.A. Steve Mulroy said. “The public has to know that public safety is our absolute, unconditional priority.”

Mulroy says the first step is providing more details about a defendant’s criminal history on the forms used to determine bail.

The hope is, the new bail form will better protect those who have been victimized by violence from those who are cycling in and out of the system.

The form will be used by judicial commissioners, who are the people tasked with determining bail, although the D.A.’s office can offer recommendations.

The change will impact those charged with serious offenses/violent crimes/sexual assaults/auto theft/auto break in cases.

“What you have today is notice to the public that we are tightening the criminal justice system,” county Mayor Lee Harris said.

The new forms could go into use as soon as Friday.

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