What is a Consent Decree? And Why Memphis Hasn’t Signed Yet A consent decree is a court-enforced agreement between a city and the DOJ to address federal law violations or civil rights abuses. It ensures accountability and progress through judicial oversight. Mayor Paul Young and his administration declined to sign a consent decree before reading the DOJ’s full report. While he hasn’t ruled it out for the future, the focus now is on exploring other ways to create a reform plan in partnership with the community and the DOJ. Why the hesitation? Consent decrees can be incredibly costly for cities, and the administration is seeking to develop a plan that works effectively for Memphis without placing undue financial strain on the community. What’s your take—should Memphis commit to a consent decree, or try a different path for reform? #Memphis #ConsentDecree #DOJ #MPDReform #CivilRights