News
August 29, 2002
A standard for state appellate court review of cases in which juries have rejected insanity defenses was announced Thursday by the Tennessee Supreme Court in a decision involving a Memphis man who shot a church counselor.The court unanimously held that appellate courts reviewing cases in which…
August 27, 2002
The state's 19,000 lawyers and their clients will be affected beginning March 1, 2003, by substantially revised ethics rules for attorneys adopted Tuesday by the Tennessee Supreme Court to replace the current 32-year-old code of conduct. The court's order overhauling the rules was prompted by a…
September 4, 2002
The public is entitled to scrutinize the records of private entities doing business with the state to the extent they become the “functional equivalent” of government agencies, the Tennessee Supreme Court said Thursday in a decision addressing two significant right-to-know issues.The unanimous…
September 16, 2002
The death sentence Richard Hale Austin received for his role in the murder-for-hire fatal shooting of a Memphis undercover agent was affirmed Monday in a 4-1 decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court.Austin has twice been sentenced to death for paying Jack Charles Blankenship to kill Julian Watkins…
September 24, 2002
The names of three attorneys, including a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, have been submitted to Gov. Don Sundquist, who will appoint one of the recommended applicants to fill a judicial vacancy in Memphis.Donna Marie Fields of Memphis, Arnold Goldin of Germantown and Rep. Larry…
September 30, 2002
Attorney Arnold Goldin of Memphis has been appointed by Gov. Don Sundquist to succeed Chancellor Floyd Peete, Jr., who died in August.A native of Richmond, VA., Goldin has been in private practice since 1974. He received his B.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia in…
October 7, 2002
A Hamilton County man who repeatedly confessed to committing felony murder and numerous counts of aggravated rape was not denied his constitutional right to effective legal counsel, the Tennessee Supreme Court said Monday in a decision affirming his convictions and sentence of death.Justice E.…
October 14, 2002
High school students from Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties will participate Nov. 7 in a state Supreme Court program designed to educate young Tennesseans about the judicial branch of government.The 650 students and their teachers from 9 public and private schools will attend a special…
October 21, 2002
Students from four Knox County High Schools will get a first-hand look at the judicial system Nov.15 as participants in a state Court of Appeals program designed to educate young Tennesseans about the appellate process.The 150 students and their teachers will attend oral argument in four actual…
December 11, 2002
The Tennessee Supreme Court has appointed three members to the state Board of Professional Responsibility which investigates complaints against attorneys and disciplines lawyers who violate professional rules.Mark L. Hayes, a Dyer County attorney, was reappointed by the court for a three year term…
December 19, 2002
Property owners whose trees cause substantial damage to adjoining property may be held financially responsible, the Tennessee Supreme Court said Thursday in a unanimous decision providing a new legal remedy for neighbors harmed by encroaching limbs or roots.The ruling, written by Chief Justice…
December 19, 2002
For the first time, Tennessee has certified foreign language interpreters available to assist court users who speak and understand little or no English.The seven interpreters, certified in Spanish, have passed written and oral examinations and a criminal background check as required by Tennessee…
January 6, 2003
The death sentence Gerald Powers received for killing a Memphis woman in1996 was affirmed Monday in a 3-2 decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court, with justices divided over whether trial testimony by the defendant’s wife should have been allowed.In an opinion written by Justice Janice M. Holder,…
January 7, 2003
Attorneys interested in filling a 23rd Judicial District vacancy being created by the retirement of Circuit Court Judge Allen Wallace must apply by the end of the business day Jan. 23 to be considered, Cornelia Clark, administrative director of the courts, said Tuesday. The district includes…
January 10, 2003
The Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals and Appellate Court Clerk's Office will move into this historic United States Post Office Building in Knoxville. In remarks at an open house, Justice E. Riley Anderson thanked the City of Knoxville, Knox County and others for…
January 31, 2003
The Tennessee Supreme Court has denied a post-conviction appeal filed by Stephen Michael West, who was sentenced to death for the 1986 murders of a Union County mother and daughter.In an order filed Friday, the court without comment turned down the application to appeal. The order leaves in place a…
February 12, 2003
Governor Phil Bredesen today announced that George C. Sexton will fill the vacant seat in the 23rd Judicial District. Sexton Judge Sextonis currently General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge for Stewart County and City Judge for Dover and Cumberland City, Tennessee. He is also in solo private…
March 24, 2003
A federal grant is making it possible for Tennessee to join a growing number of states exploring how to improve access to justice for pro se litigants - those doing business in courts without the assistance of lawyers.The Administrative Office of the Courts applied for the $20,000 State Justice…
April 3, 2002
After a judicial career spanning more than three decades, including 23 years on the appellate bench, Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Ben Cantrell of Nashville will retire effective Sept. 1. The 17-member Judicial Selection Commission will meet in August to conduct a public hearing and interview…
April 3, 2003
High school students from Dyer and Lake counties will participate April 10 in a state Supreme Court program designed to educate young Tennesseans about the judicial branch of government.The 300 students and their teachers from three schools will attend a special Supreme Court session at the Dyer…