Tennessee Law Requires Offenders To Pay More Upfront For Bail

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — A new Tennessee law requiring suspects to pay more upfront for bail is drawing criticism for its potential impact on low-income communities in the Chattanooga area.

The law, effective July 1st, mandates that people charged with a crime must pay 10 percent of their bond amount to secure release from jail.

Supporters argue the change levels the playing field across the state. But critics contend it disproportionately affects those unable to afford the increased cost, keeping them in jail before trial.

Tony Boston, a bail bondsman, said, "The lowest we can go is 5%, and if they catch us going lower than that, we will be penalized." He noted that one of his clients has been in county jail since Monday because she cannot afford even the minimum five percent to make bond.

"The average family in the community of Chattanooga, Tennessee is not making more than $30,000 a year," Boston said. "So just imagine if your son or your daughter goes to jail in the middle of the night and they have a $100,000 bond. How are you gonna come up with that money?"

Former Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston commented on the law's implications, saying, "If somebody's going to have to post the 5% defendant-wise, that makes them somewhat have, you know, some skin in the game as far as they need to show up to court if they're going to have to pay a prescribed amount of money designated by the legislature."