NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Violent crime is down across Davidson County this year, but frustration is building within the criminal justice system over bond decisions that may be putting the community at risk.

The issue centers on how much money someone must pay to get out of jail after being arrested. What might surprise many is that there are no hard guidelines for bond amounts, and judges setting those bonds can only see a person's criminal history within Davidson County.

This blind spot has led to dangerous situations where violent offenders are released on bond, only to commit more serious crimes while awaiting trial.

In Davidson County's Magistrate Court, where the judicial process begins, Judge John Manson typically spends about 15 minutes determining someone’s bond. At issue, the

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