The Tennessee Court System By: Brittani Shorey & Katrin a Hart

History Justices of Peace: – were the foundation to the state’s initial legal system. The Watuaga Association: – Formed the First Court in 1771 under the watch of John Carter

Time Line 1809 – Main Courts become over burdened, and System is reworked – Adam Huntsman realizes faults in the system and suggests new constitution – New constitution Created

“The Monkey Trial” Major case – State of Tennessee vs John Thomas Scopes

Court System Today Courts of Limited Jurisdiction – Juvenile Courts (17 Judges) – General Sessions Courts (154 Judges) – Municipal Courts (228 Judges) Trial Courts – Probate courts (2 Judges) – Chancery Courts (34 Judges) – Circuit Courts (85 Judges) – Criminal Courts (33 Judges) Intermediate Appellate Courts – Court of Appeals (12 Judges) – Court of Criminal Appeals (12 Judges) Supreme Court – Senior Judges (5 Judges; 4 Retired Senior Judges) – Administrative Office of the Courts

Pros and Cons Pros – General Assembly establishes the statute governing how courts are structured, funded, and administered. Cons -Each county has different court costs -There is a lack of structural, financial, and administrative uniformity

REFERENCES Sherille, C. (n.d.). Tennessee law, the early days. Retrieved from Linder, D. (2008). An introduction to the john scopes vs.Tennessee. Retrieved from als/scopes/evolut.htm Morgan, J. D. (2004). Tennessee's court system: Is reform needed? (307314). Retrieved from Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Research. website: urtreform.pdf