Judicial system officials in Madison County are assessing storm and tornado damage to appellate and trial court facilities to determine when the buildings can reopen, Cornelia Clark, administrative director of the courts, said Tuesday.
“The Supreme Court Building, which houses the appellate courts and the appellate court clerk’s office for the Western Section, has suffered extensive damage,” she said. “Windows have been blown out, the front doors were destroyed and transformers and power lines are down, which has left the building without power. Trees also have been uprooted on the property and some offices have been affected.”
The Criminal Justice Complex, which houses trial courts, also was damaged, Circuit Court Judge Roger Page said. Courts are cancelled at least through Wednesday. Page said jurors can call the Jury Information Line at 731-423-6036 after 5 p.m. Wednesday for information concerning their jury service.
The Western Section Court of Criminal Appeals moved its scheduled Tuesday session to the Country Inn & Suites, 1935 Emporium Dr. in Jackson, said Appellate Court Clerk Cecil Crowson.
“Deputy Clerk Susan Turner is contacting attorneys with cases pending in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals to try to help with whatever they might need,” Crowson said. “We’re trying to keep the office functioning in light of the situation.”
He said until further notice, all filings for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals in the Western Section must be sent to the Appellate Court Clerk's Office in Nashville. The address for filings is Supreme Court Building, 401 Seventh Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37219-1407.