MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - Some Shelby County officials are continuing to defend the practice of holding people in jail for 48 hours without probable cause, even though courts have repeatedly told them it violates the law.
The Commercial Appeal is reporting that the Shelby County Commission reviewed the issue at a meeting Wednesday, days after the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals criticized the Memphis Police Department for the third time for the practice.
A spokeswoman for the police department said Memphis police only detain defendants when there is probable cause.
A report presented at the commission meeting said that judicial commissioners signed off on the controversial 48-hour holds a total of 992 times last year.
The commission will review the issue again in a month after seeking an opinion from the county attorney.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal,
http://www.commercialappeal.com
