Lawyers in Tennessee

The judicial structure of Tennessee is well-layered with a proper mix of courts of limited jurisdiction, trial courts, immediate appellate courts, and the court of last resort or the Supreme Court of the state. The courts of limited jurisdiction include the municipal courts, the general sessions courts, and the juvenile courts. The mix of trial courts consists of the criminal courts, the circuit courts, the chancery courts, and the probate courts. The intermediate appellate courts that hear appeals on the trial court decisions before they choose to move to the supreme court are split into the court of criminal appeals and the court of appeals. The courts of criminal appeals review the decisions that come from the criminal and circuit trial courts, whereas the court of appeals reviews the decisions made at the probate courts, chancery courts, and probate courts. 

While it is evident from its name that the juvenile courts look into matters relating to the judicial justice system of the state, the municipal courts hear cases about violations of city ordinances. As a court of limited jurisdiction, the municipal courts can only charge fines up to an amount of $50 and prison sentences spanning up to a maximum of 30 days. There are 253 municipal courts in Tennessee, one for each city area. The jurisdiction of the general session trial courts varies county-wise. However, on a broader level, the civil jurisdiction of these courts allow the hearing of cases relating to specific monetary limits and types of actions. On the other hand, the criminal jurisdiction of these courts includes the hearing of cases relating to felony and misdemeanor.

Among the state trial courts, the circuit court judges hear cases relating to both civil and criminal jurisprudence and review appeals made on juvenile, municipal and general sessions court decisions. The criminal trial courts have jurisdiction over most types of criminal cases in the state and also hear appeals made against gross misdemeanor judgments delivered in the lower courts. The probate courts hear cases relating to the probate of wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships.

To handle cases in all these courts, the state of Tennessee has nearly 18,700 active resident lawyers. However, this number does not seem adequate for the entire population of the state. While, on average, there are almost 41 active resident lawyers in the country per 10,000 population, Tennessee has nearly 28. 

The Tennessee Bar Association is the state-based network and association of lawyers who ensure that the gap between the public and the legal practitioners is bridged. The bar has access to a justice committee that implements all the policies and initiatives that help the underprivileged and vulnerable segment of the population to get access to justice. The committee conducts pro bono programs where attorneys can volunteer for providing legal services for free to the poor. The state bar also runs a community legal center where needy people from the community can ask for legal help.  The bar also offers a host of pandemic resources to people affected by the pandemic. These resources help them to know more about the legal recourse available and the rights they are entitled to if affected by the pandemic.

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The judicial structure of Tennessee is well-layered with a proper mix of courts of limited jurisdiction, trial courts, immediate appellate courts, and the court of last resort or the Supreme Court of the state. The courts of limited jurisdiction include the municipal courts, the general sessions courts, and the juvenile courts. The mix of trial courts consists of the criminal courts, the circuit courts, the chancery courts, and the probate courts. The intermediate appellate courts that hear appeals on the trial court decisions before they choose to move to the supreme court are split into the court of criminal appeals and the court of appeals. The courts of criminal appeals review the decisions that come from the criminal and circuit trial courts, whereas the court of appeals reviews the decisions made at the probate courts, chancery courts, and probate courts. 

While it is evident from its name that the juvenile courts look into matters relating to the judicial justice system of the state, the municipal courts hear cases about violations of city ordinances. As a court of limited jurisdiction, the municipal courts can only charge fines up to an amount of $50 and prison sentences spanning up to a maximum of 30 days. There are 253 municipal courts in Tennessee, one for each city area. The jurisdiction of the general session trial courts varies county-wise. However, on a broader level, the civil jurisdiction of these courts allow the hearing of cases relating to specific monetary limits and types of actions. On the other hand, the criminal jurisdiction of these courts includes the hearing of cases relating to felony and misdemeanor.

Among the state trial courts, the circuit court judges hear cases relating to both civil and criminal jurisprudence and review appeals made on juvenile, municipal and general sessions court decisions. The criminal trial courts have jurisdiction over most types of criminal cases in the state and also hear appeals made against gross misdemeanor judgments delivered in the lower courts. The probate courts hear cases relating to the probate of wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and guardianships.

To handle cases in all these courts, the state of Tennessee has nearly 18,700 active resident lawyers. However, this number does not seem adequate for the entire population of the state. While, on average, there are almost 41 active resident lawyers in the country per 10,000 population, Tennessee has nearly 28. 

The Tennessee Bar Association is the state-based network and association of lawyers who ensure that the gap between the public and the legal practitioners is bridged. The bar has access to a justice committee that implements all the policies and initiatives that help the underprivileged and vulnerable segment of the population to get access to justice. The committee conducts pro bono programs where attorneys can volunteer for providing legal services for free to the poor. The state bar also runs a community legal center where needy people from the community can ask for legal help.  The bar also offers a host of pandemic resources to people affected by the pandemic. These resources help them to know more about the legal recourse available and the rights they are entitled to if affected by the pandemic.

Your email address