By order of the state Supreme Court, all jury trials are postponed until February. The moratorium will extend until February 26, 2021. It includes in-person appearances in municipal, general sessions, juvenile, trial and appellate courts. In issuing the order, the court cited the spread of COVID-19 and the need to keep cases down. Various court officials across the state have reported hallways and courthouses being too crowded for people to move safely through them during the health crisis.
There are some exceptions to the order. They are:
- Proceedings necessary to protect constitutional rights of criminal defendants, including
- bond-related matters, preliminary hearings for incarcerated individuals, and plea agreements for incarcerated people;
- Proceedings related to relief from abuse, including but not limited to orders of protection;
- Settlements involving a minor or a person with a disability;
- Proceedings related to statutory order of protection hearings after entry of an ex parte order necessary to satisfy any due process concerns;
- Proceedings related to emergency child custody orders;
- Proceedings related to the voluntary surrender of parental rights;
- Department of Children’s Services emergency matters related to child safety, placement, permanency, or federal funding for children in foster care;
- Proceedings related to petitions for temporary injunctive relief;
- Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders;
- Proceedings related to emergency protection of elderly or vulnerable persons;
- Proceedings directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins may elect to grant exceptions in trials on a case-by-case basis.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee signed the Order on December 22nd that all in person court proceedings were to cease for the Circuit, General Sessions and Juvenile Courts.
All dockets will be reset with the exceptions of the cases that meet specific criteria addressed in the Order.
For cases in Cannon County, contact the Circuit Court Clerks office at 615-563-4461 with questions about your case or for a new court date.
The office will remain open and business will still be conducted on a daily basis. Office hours are as follows:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8-4pm
- Wednesday: 8-12pm