News
July 18, 2025
The Tennessee Supreme Court held today in State of Tennessee v. Shanessa L. Sokolosky, that an appeal of a probation revocation order was not moot even when the defendant fully served her sentence.Shanessa Sokolosky pleaded guilty in 2019 to two misdemeanors. Instead of serving time in…
July 18, 2025
Nashville, Tenn.- The Administrative Office of the Courts today announced the release of an updated official judicial seal and accompanying style guide. The newly redesigned judicial seal maintains key traditional elements symbolic of the court’s authority, impartiality, and dedication to…
July 16, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has referred the Criminal Court Vacancy in the 30th Judicial District to Governor Bill Lee. In accordance with state law, the Governor may fill the vacancy with any person who is qualified to serve as a judge in the 30th Judicial District.Four…
July 16, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Memphis to select nominees for a circuit judge in the 30th Judicial District.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to forward to Governor Bill Lee for his…
July 15, 2025
Chancellor Doug Jenkins of the 3rd Judicial District, which includes Greene, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties, was recently elected president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference (TJC).“It’s a great honor, very humbling, and I hope I can get a lot done to help the judges in our state,” said…
July 7, 2025
Circuit Court Judge Kathryn (Katy) Olita was recently elected President of the Tennessee Trial Judges Association (TTJA), becoming the first woman and first judge from the 19th Judicial District to serve in this role.“As far as we can tell, and for people who are still with us who are able to tell…
July 7, 2025
Judge Mike Spitzer was a bit reluctant when the opportunity to serve as a judge in the 21st Judicial District emerged in 2018.“To be honest with you I never wanted to be a judge, but I had a very good law practice and enjoyed practicing law,” said Judge Spitzer.The 21st Judicial District included…
July 7, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has named attorney Joe Byrd to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the Office of the Appointed Counsel Commission (ACC).In this new role, Byrd will lead the statewide coordination of indigent representation in…
July 23, 2025
Note: Updated Location BelowNashville, Tenn. - The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received eight applications for a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District following the retirement of the Honorable Cheryl A. Blackburn.The applicants for the Criminal Court Judge vacancy are:Mark ColeRonald…
June 18, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Knoxville to select nominees for a criminal court judge in the 6th Judicial District which covers Knox County.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following nominees to forward to…
June 16, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued a decision in State of Tennessee v. Pervis Tyrone Payne affirming the trial court’s modification of Payne’s death sentences but vacating the trial court’s decision to order that Payne’s sentences be served concurrently instead of…
June 13, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission has received applications for two vacancies in the 30th Judicial District.The applicants for the Criminal Court Judge vacancy are:Jahari M. DowdyLora D. FowlerRaymond J. LeponeKenya N. SmithThe applicants for the Circuit Court Judge vacancy are:…
June 11, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met in Hohenwald to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 32nd Judicial District, which covers Hickman, Lewis, and Perry counties.After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Commission selected the following…
June 10, 2025
Nashville, Tenn.- The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has provided a notice of intent to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Statewide Court Case Management System and eFiling Solution for all of the state’s trial courts.This initiative is a critical element of TN AOC's…
June 3, 2025
Nashville, Tenn.- The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy in the 20th Judicial District for a Criminal Court Judge, Division III, following the retirement of the Honorable Cheryl A. Blackburn on May 31, 2025. Applicants must be an attorney…
June 3, 2025
Growing up, Judge Jennifer Peck always wanted to be an attorney, but life took her in a different direction for a time before law school.“I wasn’t as focused on being an attorney in undergrad,” said Judge Peck. “I think I was just focused on getting out and graduating. After my time at Auburn, I…
May 23, 2025
Nashville, Tenn- The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is currently accepting applications to fill vacancies in the 30th Judicial District for a Circuit Court judge and a Criminal Court judge following the elevation of the Honorable Valerie L. Smith to the appellate bench and the retirement of the…
May 22, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court has four cases on its May 29, 2025 docket in Nashville, Tennessee. Oral arguments in three cases will be heard at the Tennessee Supreme Court building in Nashville, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CST, and livestreamed to the…
May 22, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on May 28, 2025, before an accomplished group of rising high school seniors at the Tennessee American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. The event is part of the Court’s SCALES…
May 14, 2025
Nashville, Tenn. – The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider six applicants when it meets June 10th, 2025, in Lewis County, to select nominees for a Circuit and Chancery court judge in the 32nd Judicial District which covers Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties.The applicants are:N. Tanner Beck…