The Supreme Court of Tennessee, the highest court in the state, is beginning to ease restrictions regarding in-person hearings starting March 1st. The court suspended jury trials and in-person hearings because of a surge in coronavirus cases. Now that the number of cases is falling, the Court has decided to start opening back up.
Per WBIR News 10, the following dates apply to different cases:
- March 1, 2021: All in-person hearings for cases involving termination of parental rights.
- March 15, 2021: All non-jury proceedings in criminal, general sessions, juvenile, appellate and municipal courts.
Jury trials, however, are not expected to resume until the end of the month, as per the original order, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. To secure a jury trial, one must be granted permission by Chief Justice Jeff Bivins.
You can read the full order here.
The justice system goes virtual
District attorneys’ offices remained open throughout the pandemic. The Tennessee courts point out that during the pandemic, they have held over 10,000 virtual proceedings and meetings, and have removed barriers that prevent judges from using virtual technologies. The Court continues to encourage virtual hearings whenever possible.
What does this mean for my case?
If you are charged with a crime during this time, it is crucial to seek experienced and aggressive criminal defense. Smart, local attorneys have good working relationships with local district attorneys (DAs) and can negotiate agreements or plea bargains before you ever have to step foot in a courtroom – physical or virtual. We work on resolving your case successfully even while the courts are closed, because the court is not your only option when you work with us.
The criminal defense attorneys at Delius & McKenzie provide unique representation for a unique time. If you have been charged with a crime, get in touch with us immediately so we can begin building your defense. Call us at 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We represent clients in Sevierville, Seymour, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding Tennessee locations.
Attorney Bryan E. Delius was born and raised in Sevier County, TN. He founded Delius & McKenzie more than 20 years ago, after receiving his JD from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is admitted in Tennessee and in several federal court systems. Learn more about Bryan E. Delius.
