Defendants who can’t afford to pay for their own lawyer are often up against several challenges — addiction, poverty, homelessness.
Tyre Nichols case puts spotlight on Tennessee’s policing priorities
The beating of Tyre Nichols in police custody is renewing concerns about how top leaders are addressing police abuses statewide, including in Nashville.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton talks roadways, abortion, crime and more
The 113th General Assembly kicked off last week and to get a preview of what to expect WPLN’s Political Reporter Blaise Gainey sat with Crossville Republican Cameron Sexton who’s been elected to another term as House Speaker.
Police shootings, executions on hold and guns in cars: WPLN’s top criminal justice stories
Tennessee’s criminal justice system has topped several lists this year — largely for lagging behind the rest of the country in reforms. WPLN’s Paige Pfleger picked three stories that defined the beat this year.
Tennessee’s new attorney general says he’s a lawyer, not a politician. Here’s how he sees his role on issues like abortion.
Since taking office on Sept. 1, Skrmetti has already been more open to the media than his predecessor. Skrmetti says he wants to be more transparent so people understand what it is the AG does in Tennessee.
Nashville’s DA has said he won’t prosecute abortion providers, but that might not make a difference in Tennessee
Nashville’s District Attorney Glenn Funk has previously stated that he won’t prosecute abortion providers in the city. Now, he’ll soon have to follow through on that promise.
From divorces to evictions, Tennessee’s new ‘Justice Bus’ will crisscross the state providing free legal help
The Tennessee Supreme Court launched a free legal clinic on wheels Monday. The court used federal pandemic aid to retrofit a blue sprinter van to make stops in mostly rural places across the state.
Tennessee’s 51-year life sentences
In Tennessee, a life sentence has meant serving a minimum of 51 years behind bars, even for people convicted as juveniles.
Teens allege abuse and neglect inside a state-run juvenile detention facility in West Tennessee
Disability Rights Tennessee uncovered allegations from teenage boys in their visits to the Wilder Youth Development Center in West Tennessee since September of 2020. In a report released Wednesday, the group says it found violations of both state and federal laws.
Hundreds of Tennesseans who received lengthy prison sentences for selling drugs near schools could go home early
Decades ago, Tennessee created drug-free school zone laws to deter people from selling drugs in places where children are likely to be. But now, the state is making adjustments for cases that don’t involve kids.
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