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Hamilton County, Tennessee
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Chancery
Sessions Civil
Sessions Criminal
Criminal
Circuit
Juvenile
Mental Health
Drug Recovery
Courthouse, Photo by Shelia Cannon

Hamilton County Court System

Welcome

Hamilton County Court System is divided into five courts: Chancery Court, Sessions Court (Criminal and Civil), Criminal Court, Circuit Court, and Juvenile Court.


Jury Information

Grand Jury and Circuit Jury Information and Schedules. Explanation of how juror duty works and frequently asked questions.


Court Directory

Contact information for court clerks and judges are available in Hamilton County Government Directory and on the court's individual pages.


Judicial Commissioners

Chief Magistrate Lorrie Miller, Andrew Basler, Ron Powers, Blake F. Murchison



Dockets

Dockets & schedules for each court:

  • Chancery Court Dockets
  • Sessions Civil Court Dockets
  • Sessions Criminal Court Dockets
  • Criminal Court Dockets
  • Circuit Court Dockets
  • Juvenile Court Dockets

Divorce Mediation and Parenting Plan

Parents in the process of a divorce are required to form a parenting plan and engage in some form of divorce and mediation training.


District Attorney General

The District Attorney's Office for the 11th Judicial District of Tennessee prosecutes felony and misdemeanor crimes throughout Hamilton County. We represent the State of Tennessee and serve a population of approximately 345,000 people.



TJC Judges and Court Clerks - Friday 03052021 Update - Jury Trials
February 12 TSC COVID-19 Order Modifying and Partially Lifting Suspension of In-Person Court Proceedings
Order Extending State Of Emergency, Suspension Of Jury Trials, and Suspension Of In-Person Court Proceedings
General Sessions Court Amended Order filed in GS Civil Clerk's Office on 1-25-21
General Sessions Court Amended Order filed in GS Criminal Clerk's Office on 1-25-21
Order Extending State of Emergency and Reinstating Suspension of In-Person Court Proceedings
An Order To Reduce The Spread Of Covid-19 And Preserve Health Care Capacity By Limiting Gatherings And Spectator Events And Urging Working From Home
Order Supplementing November 17, 2020 Order
Order Extending State of Emergency and Suspending Jury Trials
Supreme Court Order Extending State of Emergency and Suspending Jury Trials
Temporary Order Suspending Jury Trials
Amendment To Written Plan Of Circuit And Chancery Courts For Gradual Recommencing Of In-Person Court Proceedings
Amendment to Written Plan - Circuit Court
Amendment to COVID-19 Judicial District Plan
Hamilton County plan to reopen court approved by the Supreme Court
Supreme Court Order continuing suspension of in-person court proceedings and extension of deadlines Circuit and Chancery Court Suspension Notice
Letter from Circuit Court Judges
Circuit Court Order of Filing
Order and Protocols Filing of Documents By Electronic Mail in Chancery Court Criminal Court Suspension Notice



About:

The Chancery Court handles cases involving domestic relations, worker’s compensation, estates, trusts, contracts, review of administrative action of governmental agencies and boards, collection of delinquent taxes, guardianships, and conservatorships, dissolution of partnerships and corporations, enforcement of liens, boundary lines, breach of contract, fraud, election contests, and other matters of a civil nature. The Clerk and Master handles the paperwork and fees associated with this court, and is sometimes called upon to act as a Chancellor to the court.


For any new motions you file in Chancery Court Part 2 going forward:

On your Notice of Hearing, if you have already specially set your motion, or plan to specially set your motion for a phone hearing, then it just needs needs the date and time it’s set to be heard and the call-in numbers:
(423) 531-1263 for local
(833) 547-0165 for long distance
Participant code: 944084


If you are filing a motion that is not specially set, our regular Part 2 Motion dockets will be heard by Zoom beginning with our docket on Feb 8th (we are still the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month) and they will start at 1:30 pm. For those Notices of Hearing, it should state the following:
NOTICE OF HEARING
All Part 2 Motions will be heard via Zoom beginning at 1:30 pm on (insert correct date) with the link posted on Page 1 of the online motion docket which can be found on the Chancery Court website at hamiltontn.gov.


Chancery Court Dockets

Clerk & Master Forms

Will Contest Forms

Potential Heirs

Public Records

Court Rules & Fees


Contact Information:


  • Judges and Clerk's contact information available Contact Information
  • Google Map directions to the Courts BuildingDirections to Courthouse


Pursuant to Supreme Court Order Extending State of Emergency and Easing Suspension of In-Person Court Proceedings, dated May 26, 2020

The moratorium on actions by judges, court clerks, and other court officials to effectuate an eviction, ejectment, or other displacement from a residence is hereby lifted effective June 1, 2020. In all judicial actions or proceedings seeking to effectuate an eviction, ejectment, or other displacement from a residence, the person or entity seeking such eviction, ejectment, or displacement shall file with the court a declaration under penalty of perjury, substantially in the form attached hereto, declaring that the property is not subject to the restrictions and limitations of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) (Public Law No. 116-136). This declaration must be filed no later than ten (10) days prior to any hearing on the matter; if the declaration is not timely filed, the hearing may not proceed and shall be reset. If the property is subject to the restrictions and limitations of the CARES Act, the proceeding shall be continued until after expiration of any moratorium under the CARES Act.


*https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/implications-of-the-cares-act-for-65433/
*https://www.nhlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020.03.27-NHLP-CARES-Act-Eviction-Moratorium-Summary
*DECLARATION UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY FORM

General Sessions Court Amended Order filed in GS Civil Clerk's Office on 1-25-21

About:

The General Sessions Court has a Civil and a Criminal Division. Both of which operate on the same Local Rules of Civil Practice Effective 09/01/2017 (PDF). The Civil Sessions Division is a court of limited jurisdiction. There are no jury trials in Sessions Court. It is not a court of record and all judgments are rendered by the Judge. A person may represent herself/himself without an attorney. A corporation filing suit must have an attorney.

Sessions Court FAQ
TN Case Finder

Sessions Civil Court Dockets

Civil Case Cover Sheet (PDF)

Supplemental Cover Sheet (PDF)

Civil Court Costs

Warrant Procedures

Circuit Court Clerk


Contact Information:


  • Judges and Clerk's contact information available Sessions Court Judges Contact Information
  • Google Map directions to the Courts BuildingDirections to Courthouse


About:

The General Sessions Court has a Civil and a Criminal Division. The Criminal Division of General Sessions Courts only issue judgments for Misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic offenses. They have jurisdiction for Felony cases on a preliminary hearing basis to determine if there is sufficient cause for the case to be bound over to the Grand Jury. There are generally no juries in these Courts.


To pay in Sessions Criminal, you may either: pay by phone 877-728-8945 or pay online (Online Form).

For a Lump-Sum Payment print and send in this payment application (PDF Format) or pay online (Online Form).

General Sessions Court Amended Order filed in GS Criminal Clerk's Office on 1-25-21

Sessions Criminal Court Dockets

The Local Rules of Practice

Dispositions & Dates

Criminal Court Clerk


Contact Information:


  • Judges and Clerk's contact information available Contact Information
  • Google Map directions to the Courthouse Directions to Courthouse


About:

The Criminal Courts handle both Felony and Misdemeanor cases. Cases are scheduled in Criminal Court after an Indictment is issued by the Grand Jury, after an original Presentment or Information is issued, or after an appeal is granted from a lower court judgment. Criminal Court trials are usually juried trials, although a Criminal Court Judge may hear a case without a jury.


To pay you may either: pay by phone 877-728-8945 or pay online (Online Form).

For a Lump-Sum Payment print and send in this payment application (PDF Format) or pay online (Online Form).


Criminal Court Dockets

The Local Rules of Practice (PDF)

Criminal Court Dispositions & Dates

Criminal Court Clerk


Contact Information:


  • Judges and Clerk's contact information available Contact Information
  • Directions to Courthouse


About:

The Circuit Court hears cases such as appeals from lower courts, contract disputes, civil torts, condemnations, worker’s compensation claims, joint petition minor settlements, name changes, adoptions and domestic matters like divorce to name a few. The Circuit Court Clerk handles the paperwork and fees associated with this court.

Circuit Court frequently asked questions
TN Case Finder
Juror Information


Circuit Court Dockets

Divorce & Mediation

Circuit Court Fees

Circuit Court Clerk


Contact Information:


  • Judges and Clerk's contact information available Circuit Court Judges and Clerk Contact Information
  • Directions to Courthouse


About:

The Juvenile Court handles all cases in which a minor is involved. Children are referred to the Juvenile Court for reasons of delinquency, status offenses, and dependency and neglect issues. The court is now involved in much more serious cases, the seriousness of offenses is escalating and the age of the offender is dropping often to below the age of ten. Because of this, the court has developed operations to insure that procedures represent the best interest of the child, family and community. Habilitation and rehabilitation of youth and preservation of the family unit remain the philosophical goal of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court.


The Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center has a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse. To report sexual abuse, call the Department of Children’s Services Child Abuse Hotline at 877-237-0004 or contact online at Tennessee's Child Abuse Referral and Tracking.
All allegations of sexual abuse are investigated by the Department of Children’s Services and Law Enforcement if indicated.
You can also contact the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center directly at 423-209-5158.
Addendum to PREA Policy Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center (PDF)
Aggregate Data Part 1 (PDF)
Aggregate Data Part 2 (PDF)
2018 Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center PREA Report Final (PDF)

Local Rules of Practice

Juvenile Court Dockets

Juvenile Court Programs

Child Support Department

Juvenile Court Clerk

Prepare for Juvenile Court



Contact Information:


  • contact information for Juvenile court available Contact Information
  • Directions


About:

The Mental Health Court is a "one stop shop" for justice-involved mental health consumers in Hamilton County, linking them to diagnostic help, treatment and necessary supports while in custody and upon reentry to our community. We work with consumers at multiple intercept points within the criminal justice system: pre-arrest, on bond, in custody and on probation. Mental Health Court helps the most vulnerable citizens of our community, many of whom have cycled in and out of the justice system, homelessness, emergency rooms, and mental health and substance treatment systems without ever getting the sustained treatment and support they need for recovery. Mental Health Court transforms lives so that individuals, families and our community can flourish and thrive while enhancing public safety and reducing the cost to our County.


Mental Health Court is led by Director Anna Protano-Biggs. We operate a Criminal Court run by Judge Don W Poole and a General Sessions Court run by Judge Lila Statom. We also operate a track focused on Sexual Trauma. For further information, call the Mental Health Court main line at: 423-209-6195.


Main Website


Contact Information:


  • Contact Information
  • Google Map directions to the Mental Health Court's Main OfficeDirections to Mental Health Court Main Office


About:

The mission of the Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court is to reduce recidivism through breaking the cycle of addiction and by enhancing the offenders’ likelihood of success in our community. The goal of the Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court is to promote public safety and individual responsibility, to reduce crime, and to improve the quality of life for its participants and their families.


Main Website


Contact Information:


  • Contact Information
  • Google Map directions to the Drug Recovery Court's Main OfficeDirections to Drug Recovery Court's Main Office

Other area courts

Note: The following links are not managed by Hamilton County and thus they will open in a new tab

Red Bank Court
East Ridge Court
Soddy Daisy Court
City of Chattanooga Court
Collegedale Municipal Court

Note: The following links will open to another government website or government-affiliated page in a new tab.


Hamilton County Officials

County Mayor Jim Coppinger
Assessor of Property Marty Haynes
County Clerk Bill Knowles
Register of Deeds Marc Gravitt
Sheriff Jim Hammond
Trustee Bill Hullander

Government Entities

9 1 1 Center / Emergency Communications District
Chamber Commerce
Regional Planning
Veterans Services
Visitor's Bureau
Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority
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