Organizers seek Hamilton County bond reform

Staff Photo by Sofia Saric / Community organizers met Aug. 27, 2024, to discuss ongoing bond issues in Hamilton County.

The nonprofit advocacy group CALEB has organized volunteers to watch Hamilton County court hearings after county officials allegedly failed to meet its demands for constitutional bond practices.

Dozens of criminal justice advocates rallied last week with protest signs and chanted slogans such as "no justice, no peace" and "power to the people" on the steps of the courts building.

"It's our responsibility to speak on their behalf," CALEB member Zac Settle said. "The current process is unjust."

Earlier this year, nonprofit legal organization Civil Rights Corps and CALEB sent a memo to Hamilton County officials that alleged many people accused of crimes are jailed for up to 14 days without legal counsel or due process if they cannot afford the bail set by a magistrate judge.

General sessions judges, magistrates, the sheriff's office, the public defender's office, the district attorney, the mayor, the county attorney and county commissioners were asked to respond with their input by May 31.

​General Sessions Judge Lila Statom did not respond by the deadline. Criminal Court Judge Amanda Dunn said she was unable to comment, as it is an issue for the county attorney to address. County Attorney Rheubin Taylor did not respond to a request for comment.

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