Criminal Courts were established by the legislature to relieve circuit courts in areas with heavy caseloads. In addition to having jurisdiction over criminal cases, criminal court judges hear misdemeanor appeals from lower courts. In districts without criminal courts, criminal cases are handled at the trial level by circuit court judges.
Chancery Courts are courts of equity that are based on the English system in which the chancellor acted as the “King’s conscience.” A chancellor, the judge who presides over chancery courts, may modify the application of strict legal rules and adapt relief to the circumstances of individual cases. Chancery Courts handle a variety of issues including…
Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction in Tennessee. Circuit court judges hear civil and criminal cases and appeals of decisions from Juvenile, Municipal, and General Sessions Courts. The jurisdiction of circuit courts often overlaps that of the chancery courts. Criminal cases are tried in circuit court except in districts with separate criminal courts established by…
Tennessee’s 95 counties are divided into 31 judicial districts. Within each district are Circuit Courts and Chancery Courts, as provided by the state constitution. Some districts also have legislatively established Criminal Courts and Probate Courts. Judges of these courts are elected to 8-year terms.
The Court of Criminal Appeals was created by the legislature in 1967 to hear trial court appeals in felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as post-conviction petitions. The Tennessee General Assembly increased the membership of the court from nine to 12 on Sept. 1, 1996. The members sit monthly in panels of three in Jackson, Knoxville and Nashville. They may also meet…
Created by the General Assembly in 1925, the Court of Appeals hears appeals in civil —or non-criminal— cases from trial courts and certain state boards and commissions. The court has 12 members who sit in panels of three. The panels meet monthly in Jackson, Knoxville and Nashville. When necessary, the court may meet in alternate…
The Tennessee Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort. The five Supreme Court justices may accept appeals of civil and criminal cases from lower state courts. They also interpret the laws and constitutions of Tennessee and the United States. The Supreme Court may assume jurisdiction over undecided cases in the Court of Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals when there…
The court system can be a confusing place to do business if you are not familiar with how it operates. Each court must follow statutes put in place by the state legislature, but individual courts may have their own set of rules in place. The best place to start is the court clerk’s office. Many…
Give your landlord notice in writing that you are moving out. Read your lease to see how much notice you have to give your landlord. Schedule a walkthrough with your landlord. Remove all belongings and take photos of how you left the unit. Leave the unit broom clean. Make a list of things to be…
Your landlord can’t bother you or keep you from enjoying your place. The landlord may need to come into your place sometimes. Most of the time, the landlord needs your permission first. If the landlord has a good reason, you should let them in. There are a few times your landlord can come into your…