Nashville Judge Waiving Hold In Domestic Violence Case Inspires Legislation

Currently, Tennessee judges are allowed to waive the 12 hour hold intended to keep domestic violence offenders from returning home and continuing the abuse. Credit: Joe Gratz via Flickr

The premature release of a Nashville man who allegedly beat his girlfriend has already resulted in a legislative proposal to make the 12-hour holding period mandatory.

Last week, Judge Casey Moreland waived the hold on a domestic assault suspect who is a prominent developer after just a few hours. The man then went home and is accused of continuing to abuse his girlfriend.

State Rep. William Lamberth of Sumner County has proposed strengthening the law, and he has support from the Speaker of the House.

“That twelve hour hold would be universal,” Lamberth says of his bill. “It wouldn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, it wouldn’t matter what argument you’re attorney really could even make on your behalf. If you are charged with domestic assault, you have a twelve hour hold, universally, across the board.”

The lawyer of the man released early from jail was a friend of the judge, who denies their relationship had anything to do with his decision. Moreland says he regrets waiving the hold, but that hasn’t stopped a number of politicians from calling for his resignation.

Micah Bradley contributed to this report.