MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Bond was revoked for Shelby County Judge Melissa Boyd Wednesday after she failed a drug test.

Boyd appeared in court Wednesday morning. The judge’s order means she will remain in custody until her trial is set to happen within 30 days.

The state submitted lab results showing alcohol and cocaine present in Judge Boyd’s system, for two separate drug screenings on March 12 and 15 while disregarding three additional screenings.

Judge Morgan said to her defense, they can’t take her home to “babysit her.” The state claims Boyd is “thumbing her nose” at the court by disregarding her bond conditions.

“She is basically thumbing her nose at the court saying I am not going to do one thing that you ordered me to do. I am not going to call into pre-trial supervision. I am not going to go by the office, I am not going to submit to drug screens – I am not going to stop using cocaine,” said Nina Seiler, Asstistant District Attorney 28th Judicial District.

Boyd’s defense team says, “She needs help, and must be clean and sober” before moving forward.

“Ms. Boyd is in a full relapse. I think that’s very obvious to the court,” said Art Horne, Boyd’s Defense Attorney. “Putting Ms. Boyd in jail and letting her detox and whatever doesn’t fix the long-term problem.”

This is where the two sides share two different opinions — with prosecutors passionately proclaiming that Boyd has not responded to the help that was offered. Prosecutors insist now it must be ordered.

“There is one person in this courtroom that could potentially save the defendant’s life and I am looking at him,” said Frederick Agee, District Attorney General 28th Judicial District. “I am very much compassionate about helping people and our office is helping people.”

Still, Boyd’s defense teams argue the environment could impact the outcome.

“We do see this as a medical issue and people go to detox, there are actually facilities for detoxing and you do that in a very controlled environment,” said Carlissa Shaw, Boyd’s Defense Attorney.

In the end, Judge Morgan says essentially his hands are tied.

“A lot of help has been offered, and it’s just not working, and that’s so sad,” said  Judge Roy Morgan.

A final ruling cited Boyd violated the terms of her bond condition resulting in her going back to jail.

Back in December, Boyd was indicted and taken into custody on charges of coercion of a witness and harassing her campaign manager. She has remained free since then on a $5,000 bond.

Boyd was elected in 2022 but has spent much of that time off the bench after suspension, allegations of drug use, and time spent in treatment.

The state’s Judicial Conduct Board recommended her for removal this year, something the General Assembly is supposed to take up soon.

The Judicial Conduct Board said Boyd did check into a treatment facility earlier this year for what they called severe alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine abuse.

“There is more than enough to suggest that this particular jurist is unfit to sit as a criminal court judge in the state of Tennessee. The cocaine problem alone is hugely problematic,” said the board’s chairman in a previous hearing.

In a statement, Boyd’s attorney Art Horne said Boyd is “committed to resolving her case and staying in recovery so that she can be in a healthy space.”