News
March 9, 2023
Attorney Matt Wilson was confirmed today by the General Assembly as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section. Wilson was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in January after a lengthy application process that included a public hearing. He fills the vacancy left…
November 22, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met today to consider nine applicants for the Court of Criminal Appeals vacancy in the Western Section. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Council selected the following applicants:Joshua B. DouganMatthew Joseph…
November 1, 2022
At the request of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Judicial Conference Foundation (TJCF) established a scholarship in honor of the late Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge John Everett Williams. Judge Williams passed away on September 2, 2022 at the age of 68. He served…
October 24, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider nine applicants for the Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section vacancy created by the passing of the Honorable John Everett Williams on September 2, 2022.The applicants are: Vance Walker DennisJoshua B. DouganJohn Morris…
October 7, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments is now accepting applications for the Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section vacancy created by the passing of the Honorable John Everett Williams on September 2, 2022.Any interested applicant must be a licensed attorney who is at least 30 years…
September 8, 2022
“My best friend.” “Always someone I could talk to.” “Our moral compass.” “Larger than life.” Those are the words the Tennessee judiciary has used to describe their friend and colleague Judge John Everett Williams, who passed away unexpectedly on September 2 at the age of 68.Judge Williams was the…
September 8, 2022
Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge John Everett Williams will lie in state on Monday, September 12 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Nashville Supreme Court Building, located at 401 7th Avenue North, Nashville. Judge Williams passed away unexpectedly on September 2 at the age of 68…
September 2, 2022
The Tennessee judiciary is mourning the loss of Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge John Everett Williams, who passed away on September 2, 2022, at the age of 68. He was appointed to the court by Governor Don Sundquist in November 1998, and was retained in elections in 2000, 2006, 2014…
September 1, 2022
Tennessee jurists from Mountain City to Memphis, from Supreme Court justices to general sessions judges, began new eight-year judicial terms today, September 1, 2022. The judges were elected or retained during the August general election. The previous judicial term ran from September 1, 2014 to…
August 2, 2022
Tennessee appellate courts recently livestreamed their 1,000th case, greatly improving accessibility and transparency in the court system. While the Tennessee Supreme Court began video recording oral arguments in October of 2018, these recordings were posted several days to weeks later. The first…
April 29, 2022
The Tennessee General Assembly unanimously confirmed Judge Kyle Hixson to the Court of Criminal Appeals - Eastern Section. Judge Hixson was appointed to the intermediate appellate court by Governor Bill Lee on March 28, and he will take the appellate bench effective September 1, 2022, succeeding…
April 29, 2022
Judge Tom Greenholtz was unanimously confirmed to the Court of Criminal Appeals – Eastern Section by the Tennessee General Assembly. He was appointed to the intermediate appellate court by Governor Bill Lee on March 28 and will succeed Judge Norma McGee Ogle, who has announced her retirement…
April 18, 2022
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Norma McGee Ogle was appointed to the bench by Governor Don Sundquist in 1998. It was a career move that wasn’t on her radar, despite that fact that judgeship runs in her family.“It was something that I had not really thought too much about because my husband (…
April 12, 2022
Thinking about becoming a judge? Judge D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. advises bringing your patience and a good sense of humor.“There was a murder defendant that told me it was a kangaroo court and I was a chicken s--t judge,” said Judge Thomas. “I thought, you know, I could find him in contempt, but giving…
March 28, 2022
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced appointments to three judicial positions across the state.The following Tennesseans have been appointed:Professor Jeffrey Usman– Court of Appeals, Middle DivisionJudge Tom Greenholtz– Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern DivisionJudge Kyle Hixson– Court of…
March 3, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments met today to consider seven applicants for the two imminent vacancies on the Court of Criminal Appeals Eastern Section. After holding a public hearing and conducting public interviews, the Council selected the following applicants:
Andrew Freiberg…
February 21, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments will consider seven applicants when it meets to select nominees for two imminent vacancies on the Eastern Section of the Court of Criminal Appeals after the Honorable Norma McGee Ogle and the Honorable D. Kelly Thomas, Jr. elected not to file…
February 15, 2022
Court of Criminal Appeals Judges John Everett Williams, Tim Easter and Jill Ayers heard oral arguments for three cases inside Lipscomb University’s Collins Alumni Auditorium on February 9.“We like to go out into the various campuses, or wherever we’re invited, to let the students see real cases in…
February 10, 2022
Judge John W. Campbell was confirmed by the General Assembly today as the newest member of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals – Western Section. Judge Campbell was appointed by Governor Bill Lee on January 12 after being one of three candidates recommended by the Governor’s Council for…
January 28, 2022
The Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments today filed amended notices for the imminent vacancies in the Court of Appeals Middle Section and Court of Criminal Appeals Eastern Section.The application deadline for the imminent vacancy in the Court of Appeals Middle Section is now 12:00 p.m. CST…