Memphis Suspects Won’t be Held Without Evidence
Days after an appeals court said the Memphis police department was illegally detaining people without sufficient evidence, Memphis officials say they will halt the practice. Shelby County’s practice of putting people in jail on 48-hour holds got renewed attention after the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals said that in doing so, Memphis police were violating people’s rights against being unreasonably seized by the government. It was the third time the appellate court criticized Memphis police for engaging in the practice. The court opinion prompted a Shelby County Commissioner to express concerns that the city could be held civilly liable if the practice continued. On Friday, Memphis City attorney Herman Morris issued a statement saying no one will be held without probable cause.
