Written by: JR Robinson

In a significant move to bolster public safety and ensure more effective judicial decisions, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office has unveiled a new comprehensive form for bond setting. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Memphis Police Department (MPD) and Judicial Commissioners, demonstrates a strong commitment to getting dangerous criminals off the streets of Memphis.

Key Features of the New Bond Setting Form

The updated form introduces a "Law Enforcement Notes" section, replacing the previous bond recommendation section. This new feature is designed to provide judicial commissioners with crucial information for making informed decisions about bail. The form now considers five key areas:

1. Evidence of Flight: Indicators of potential flight risk before trial
2. Evidence of Evasion: History or actions suggesting attempts to evade law enforcement
3. Evidence of Violence: Including physical acts and concerning behavior on social media
4. Evidence of Other Crimes: Information on prior criminal history or related activities
5. Other Relevant Information: Additional factors pertinent to public safety, such as gang affiliation

Enhancing Public Safety Through Informed Decision-Making

District Attorney Mulroy emphasized that this new approach is not about assigning blame but rather about equipping decision-makers with the best available information. By providing more comprehensive data, the bond setting process can better reflect the actual public safety risks posed by defendants.

"Safety is our top priority," stated DA Mulroy. "By providing more relevant info for judicial commissioners and judges to consider, bonds can better reflect the public safety risks posed by defendants."

Addressing Criticisms and Demonstrating Commitment

This initiative directly counters claims by politicians like Senator Brent Thompson that the District Attorney's office is soft on crime. By implementing a more rigorous and information-driven bond setting process, the DA's office is demonstrating its commitment to:

1. Enhancing Public Safety: The new form ensures that potentially dangerous individuals are not released back into the community without proper consideration of the risks they pose.
2. Improving Judicial Decision-Making: By providing more comprehensive information, judicial commissioners and judges can make more informed and appropriate bail decisions.
3. Balancing Fairness and Accountability: The new process aims to maintain fairness within the judicial system while prioritizing public safety.

The introduction of this new bond setting form represents a proactive step by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office to address public safety concerns and improve the efficiency of the judicial system. This initiative clearly demonstrates the DA's commitment to getting criminals off the streets of Memphis, contrary to claims of being soft on crime. By focusing on evidence-based decision-making and collaboration between law enforcement and judicial officials, this approach aims to create a safer community while upholding the principles of justice and fairness.