Atomic City Talk

The Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee was arrested for DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and running from the police.

He was released to the custody of his mother (Briley is 40 years old, presumed to be living independently by now). He did not have to post bond.

So how many other people would be afforded that generosity? Leaving the scene of an accident and then running from the police are not generally indicators that he's going to be a good boy scout and just show up.

Like the Ritter case locally, it can probably be dragged out for a year or more before yet another attorney manages to get away with bad behavior on a technicality. In the meantime, will he remain as judiciary chairman, able to exact revenge for his trouble?

Many people get released r.o.r. (released on their own recognizance), to pretrial release if they have no money to make a commercial bond, or other methods. Bond is set depending upon various reasons, the first and foremost being to assure appearance in court. An arrest this public, involving a public figure, with the full weight of the State of Tennessee Government and population on him, he will show. He will show to court because he wants to appear responsible and that this was just a terrible mistake. What he did during the crime will be white washed by his appearance.

The thing we tend to forget in this situation is that though he was not required to make bond, many other people are not required to make bond either. They just don't have it plastered all over the news because it wasn't high profile.

"...he is a member of the House Ethics Committee and played a central role in shaping ethics legislation that was enacted by the General Assembly last year."

Sounds about right.

State Rep. Rob Briley back in custody on vandalism charge

The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State Rep. Rob Briley is back in custody on a vandalism charge stemming from his arrest over the weekend on charges that include driving under the influence and evading arrest.
The Nashville Democrat was arrested Saturday night after being accused of rear-ending a car in DeKalb County and then leaving the scene of the accident.

He was arrested again Monday after a warrant was obtained accusing him of causing $1,500 damage to a patrol car by kicking the window.

The 40-year-old Briley was first elected in 1998 and had served as House majority floor leader before being named judiciary chairman in January.

Bet he has to post a bond now.

So DUI, leaving the scene, and evading arrest weren't enough to require a bond, but kicking the window out of a police cruiser (the vandalism charge) somehow makes him a flight risk?

To me, it would seem like anyone who would run from police is a flight risk. They knew, going back several weeks, that he's had some problems.

I'd really love to see the stats on how many evading arrest offenders are released on their own recognizance. Somehow, I can't imagine it's very many.

He was a flight risk to avoid being caught and identified. That has now happened and the attitude will change. He will appear to face the music and get as much sympathy as possible. The magistrate knows this and took that into consideration.

Bond will be required on the latest charge. It usually is on the last charge, if it is charged after an ROR.

He was released not because of the offense of Evading, but because the magistrate did not feel he was a flight risk. Evading does not equate to not appearing after an arrest. Other things are also considered. Ties to the community, family support, general attitude at time bond is set.

He is tied to the community through property and yes being an elected official, and he has family support. So to say what you want it was considered that he was an elected official. It is part of the criteria for determining bond.

http://michie.lexisnexis.com/tennessee/l...-h.htm&cp=

The above is TCA on release on ROR. There is an amount of money required but not secured. The criteria is listed in eight subsections.

If qualifications are not met then the least onerous amount of bail shall be required.

http://michie.lexisnexis.com/tennessee/l...-h.htm&cp=

Linking to TN Code sections doesn't seem to work well; better to provide the statute numbers. Were you referring to § 40-11-104 and §40-11-115?

Another classic example of our fine state legislators in action. They even surpass Knox County and that is hard to do.

Oh well..........