Power provided by a generator made it possible Thursday to reopen the Appellate Court Clerk's Office in the Jackson Supreme Court Building while work continues to clean up and repair extensive damage caused by this week's storms and tornados, Deputy Clerk Susan Turner said. The building, which houses the Western Sections of the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals and where the Supreme Court hears cases, remains without telephone service, she said. The office is accepting filings again, which also can be sent to P.O. Box 909, Jackson, TN 38302. Turner can be reached on her cell phone at 731-217-5379.
In addition to power being out, windows were destroyed, doors to the building were blown out, offices were damaged and trees on the property were uprooted. Because of the damage, the Court of Appeals, which was scheduled to hear cases in Jackson May 19-21, will meet instead in Memphis at the Shelby County Courthouse. Trial and General Sessions courts in Madison County remain closed while damage is assessed and repaired at the Criminal Justice Complex.
Circuit Court Judge Roger Page said rain on Wednesday caused additional problems and it is uncertain how long it will take to return to normal. In the meantime, he and other judges are looking at possible temporary locations to hold court. Until courts are operational again, Page said jurors can call the county's Jury Information Line at 731-423-6036 for information about their service.