CALEB accuses Hamilton County of not protecting due process
CALEB demonstrating on the front steps of the Hamilton County Courts Building.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Are the constitutional rights of Hamilton County inmates being violated?
That is what a coalition of Chattanooga activists are claiming.
The Chattanoogans for Love, Equality, and Benevolence, or CALEB for short, say they are concerned for the rights of the incarcerated in Hamilton County.
This led to them to air a grievance against Hamilton County’s judicial system on the front steps of the courts building today.
CALEB claimed on the courthouse steps that Hamilton County is not protecting the due process rights of inmates.
They refer to a 2023 case from Hamblen County, TN called Torres v. Collins.
In that case, a federal judge ruled that off the record hearings with a court magistrate to set bail are unconstitutional.
CALEB argues this is still occurring.
Rev. Zach Settle said, “At the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center, inmates are regularly going before the magistrate without legal representation. What that means is that their initial bonds are being set without lawyers present.”
CALEB argues that the lack of due process, which is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, is a huge hindrance to non-violent offenders getting out of jail.
Christopher Heintz said. “In Hamilton County, at least 83% are held pre-trial, with 38% being held on misdemeanor offenses. We have to do better with releasing those who are not considered a threat to society just because they got into an unfortunate situation.”
CALEB argues that this leads to devastating impacts for those arrested.
Activist Kenneth Fuller said, “In solidarity, I stand alongside CALEB and the community, to say that Hamilton County is violating Constitutional rights and procedures to due process. They need legal counsel at the magistrates here. The violation of our Constitutional rights in Hamilton County protects no one, and directly harms the most vulnerable members of our community.
Hamilton County’s Chief Magistrate Lorrie Miller tells News 12 that CALEB’s claims are unfounded, as she says her office is in compliance with federal law.
