Attorneys have many reasons for keeping informed of Tennessee courts and judges news and trends. Attorneys need to keep track of appointments as judges die or retire in order to correctly file papers with the court. Courts may also change their procedures and administrative rules, which can affect the way that attorneys do their jobs. Attorneys also may want to know a judge’s legal education and background, as it may affect how a judge comes to a decision.

Anyone who wishes to stay current on news related to the Tennessee Supreme Court should identify key legal websites in Tennessee and check them periodically for updates. The best sources of information on news and trends on Tennessee courts and judges include the following:

1. Independent news sources on a Tennessee district court, such as blogs, newspapers and magazines. These sources are the most likely to provide unbiased opinions or news about a court or judge.
2. Court websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends on Tennessee county courts, such as current appointments and court decisions.
3. Organizations for legal professionals. Meetings of these organizations provide opportunities to get inside news information on courts and judges.
   

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Study sources of unbiased news and trends for TN courts

Journalists frequently report on news and events that affect the Tennessee judiciary in online newspapers and magazines. Attorneys and law professors also may provide opinions on recent court decisions in blogs and journals.

I recommend: Dan Berexa's Tennessee Law Blog provides commentary from a practicing attorney focusing on Tennessee courts, especially with respect to personal injury law court judgments and trends. Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog offers opinions and news on criminal law cases and decisions rendered in Tennessee courts.

Review Tennessee judges and courts websites to get official news and other information

Tennessee courts and judges websites are the best places to get current news about judges for a particular court, as well as information about upcoming appointments and retirements. A Tennessee court also may publish important court decisions and opinions on the official website, which can help attorneys stay informed of the latest ruling trends.

I recommend: The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts provides official quarterly press releases on court news in Tennessee. The United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Tennessee keeps a regular docket calendar and also provides other current news on this court in Tennessee.

Join professional legal organizations to get inside news on Tennessee courts and judges

Tennessee bar and attorney organizations hold meetings to evaluate and discuss legal news and trends. These meetings also provide an opportunity to hear from attorneys who actually have tried cases before a particular Tennessee court or judge.

I recommend: The Tennessee Bar Association holds regular meetings for attorneys to discuss Tennessee courts and judges. The Knoxville Bar Association provides many opportunities for attorneys in Knoxville to exchange information on courts and judges in Tennessee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There also are online forums dedicated to news and trends in the Tennessee courts. These forums may have a separate directory for each court and typically invite readers to discuss and evaluate news on courts and judges based on personal experience. The evaluation methods may consist of surveys, polls and votes that include reader comments.

A basic knowledge of Tennessee courts and Tennessee judges can be very beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the court system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, you should understand the court process and know a little about the individual overseeing your case.

It’s important to understand that there are multiple courts in each state that oversee different types of cases. Each of these courts have judges that administer the law and case process. When considering Tennessee courts and judges, keep the following in mind:

1. You can download forms to assist you in filing a case from Tennessee court websites.

2. The Supreme Court and District Appellate Courts only hear appellate cases and each court has their own appointed judges in Tennessee.

3. Bankruptcy information and case filings are also accessible through Tennessee court records.

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Locate Tennessee county courts

Tennessee has 95 counties divided into 31 judicial districts, which contain both Circuit and Chancery Courts. The Tennessee probate court and criminal court may have separate courthouses in some districts or may be part of the Circuit Court. Circuit Courts hear general civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals filed on decisions made by courts of limited jurisdiction (such as the Tennessee juvenile court and municipal courts). Chancery Courts hear civil cases exclusively.

I recommend: The Tennessee Court System provides links to local court rules for all 31 districts. Access downloadable case forms on the Davidson County Circuit Court Clerk website. For more information on what constitutes juvenile and probate matters, visit the Tennessee Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges.

File an appeal with the Tennessee Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals

The Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and Tennessee Court of Appeals all hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before an appellate court. There are five justices in the Tennessee Supreme Court, which hear appeals filed on lower appellate court decisions. From the 12 judges of the Appellate District Court of Tennessee, a panel of three judges determines the outcome of each appellate case. The Criminal Court of Appeals has anywhere from nine to 12 judges. The decisions of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals are final.

I recommend: Access biographical information for Court of Appeals judges on the Tennessee Court System website. Megalaw.com provides links to appellate court opinions from 1995 to present.

Access records from bankruptcy courts of Tennessee

Whether you need to search for a bankruptcy filing on a debtor or determine if bankruptcy is an option for you or your company, the Tennessee Bankruptcy Courts can assist you with both. The Tennessee District Court (also known as Bankruptcy Court) has three divisions; the eastern, middle and western districts. Each provide information on the basics for bankruptcy filing, contact information for trustees and bankruptcy attorneys and an online search of Tennessee bankruptcy records through the PACER system (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).

I recommend: Access all three districts through Personal Bankruptcy Information. Obtain basic bankruptcy forms on the US Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Tennessee website. Visit the bankruptcy court records search provided through the Middle District of Tennessee Document Filing System.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of TN courts, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

Tennessee courts and judges laws and regulations govern how judges resolve disputes in interpreting and applying the law. These laws are passed by the various legislative bodies in Tennessee, such as the Tennessee state legislature, and are enforced by the executive branch of government. A party that is dissatisfied by the decision of the trial court typically may appeal to the intermediate Court of Appeals. They also may have the option of asking the highest state court to hear the case.

The assignment of a case to a Tennessee court is determined by the court that has jurisdiction. There are three general types of courts in Tennessee:

1. County courts of Tennessee. These courts generally have jurisdiction over traffic cases and other misdemeanors. The vast majority of these cases are resolved without a trial.
2. District courts. A federal district court of Tennessee has jurisdiction over federal issues and is subject to review by a United States court of appeals.
3. Supreme Court. There is only one Supreme Court of Tennessee and it consists of a panel of judges. A federal court only may overrule a state supreme court when there is an issue of federal jurisdiction.
   

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Learn about the laws regarding county Tennessee courts and judges

Tennessee county courts are the workhorses of the Tennessee judicial system and decide most cases in Tennessee. Tennessee county courts commonly handle matters of probate law, traffic law and family law. Local rules for county courts address the procedures for assigning cases, issuing subpoenas and filing discovery motions.

I recommend: The Montgomery County Government offers information about the Montgomery County Chancery, Circuit, Juvenile and General Sessions courts, and provides a link to the court rules. Knox County Government provides detailed descriptions of the court rules for the Circuit Court of Knox County.

Examine laws that affect a Tennessee district court

District courts in Tennessee are the trial courts for the federal court system. They also include courts that handle bankruptcy law as separate units of the district courts. District courts have rules that govern court procedures, such as filing civil actions, making motions and requesting continuances.

I recommend: The United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee has four locations in eastern Tennessee and provides a complete set of its local rules. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee has a variety of local rules, including administrative orders and local rules for magistrates.

Review the laws governing the Tennessee Supreme Court

The Tennessee Supreme Court is the highest state court in Tennessee and generally only hears appeals involving state law. It does not make finding of facts and, therefore, does not hold trials. The Supreme Court issues rules for topics like judicial conduct, the discipline of attorneys and the publication of opinions.

I recommend: The Tennessee Supreme Court is located in Nashville and provides an extensive list of its rules. The Tennessee Bar Association provides the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct, which are approved by the Tennessee Supreme Court and apply to all judges and attorneys in Tennessee.