THE PERRY COUNTY COURTHOUSE:
Tennessee’s 95 counties are divided into 31 judicial districts, with a new Judicial District that will come into existence after the August election of 2022 where the voters for Perry, Lewis and Hickman Counties will form a new district, eliminating Williamson County from the district shared by the other counties that currently form the 21st District. Within each State judicial district are Circuit Courts and Chancery Courts, as provided by the state constitution. Some districts also have legislatively established Criminal Courts and Probate Courts. Judges of these courts are elected to 8-year terms, with the next election on August 5, 2022. You can read more about this at 32ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT article.
CIRCUIT COURT
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction in Tennessee. Circuit court judges hear civil and criminal cases and appeals of decisions from Juvenile, Municipal, and General Sessions Courts. The jurisdiction of circuit courts often overlaps that of the chancery courts. Criminal cases are tried in circuit court except in districts with separate criminal courts established by the General Assembly.
GENERAL SESSIONS COURT
General Sessions Court jurisdiction varies from county to county based on state laws and private acts. Every county is served by this court of limited jurisdiction, which hears both civil and criminal cases. Civil jurisdiction is restricted to specific monetary limits and types of actions. Criminal jurisdiction is limited to preliminary hearings in felony cases and misdemeanor trials in which a defendant waives the right to a grand jury investigation and trial by jury in Circuit or Criminal Court. General Sessions Judge Katerina V. Moore also serves as the Perry County juvenile judge. A General Sessions judge is elected to 8-year terms.
JUVENILE COURT
Juvenile Court is presided over by the General Sessions judge in Perry County, at the time of the writing of this article it is Judge Katerina V. Moore. A juvenile is defined as any individual who is under the chronological age of eighteen (18) years and who has not been previously transferred to adult court. Juvenile courts deal not only with delinquency and status offenses, but also with issues concerning dependency and neglect, child abuse, child support, custody issues, establishing parentage, visitation, and the need for medical and/or mental health treatment for children.
CHANCERY COURT
Chancery Courts are courts of equity that are based on the English system in which the chancellor acted as the “King’s conscience.” A chancellor, the judge who presides over chancery courts, may modify the application of strict legal rules and adapt relief to the circumstances of individual cases. Chancery Courts handle a variety of issues including lawsuits, contract disputes, application for injunctions and name changes. A number of matters, such as divorces, adoptions, and workers’ compensation, can be heard in either chancery or circuit court.
PROBATE COURT
Probate Courts were created by the legislature and given jurisdiction over probate of wills and administration of estates. Probate judges also handle conservatorships and guardianships.
