Organizational Chart for the Tennessee Criminal Court System (Essay Sample)

Organizational Chart for the Tennessee Criminal Court System Name University AffiliationOrganizational Chart for the Tennessee Criminal Court System Organizational Chart
The Supreme Court in Tennessee is the court of last resort and the highest court in the state. It is worth mentioning that the five justices hear appeals of criminal and civil cases from lower courts in the state. Additionally, they interpret the laws of the state and the United States. The Supreme Court can assume jurisdiction when an urgent determination is required over cases that have not been decided in Courts of Criminal Appeals or Court of Appeals (Wilson,2015). Again, the court has appellate jurisdiction in cases that involve matters of constitution law, the right to hold public office, and state laws. The General Sessions Court has limited jurisdiction and hears criminal and civil cases in every county. Criminal Court judges have jurisdiction over criminal trials but they also hear misdemeanor appeals from the lower courts. Lastly, The judges of Circuit Courts hear criminal and civil cases as well as appeals of judgments from Municipal, General Sessions, Juvenile, and City courts Supreme Court According to Wilson (2015),the Supreme Court accepts oral arguments from attorneys. Furthermore, it is important to note that unlike trials in lower courts, the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Appeals does not admit testimony, juries, or witnesses. Instead, the justices of the Supreme Court issue written decisions referred to as opinions after they review the written materials and hear oral arguments from the attorneys. Essentially, when the Supreme Court in Tennessee gives opinions on issues of the constitution, the decisions can only be appealed to the federal courts which may accept or reject the appeal. Lastly, the constitution of the state requires that the court is held in Nashville, Knoxville, and Jackson. Wilson (2015) writes that elections for the judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and Court of Appeals are done after eight years. When there is a vacancy, a Judicial Selection Commission comprising of fifteen members interviews candidates and then recommends three applicants to the governor, who appoints a new justice to serve until the next general election. Court of Criminal Appeals Wilson (2015) states that the legislature created the court of criminal appeals in 1967 with a mandate to hear post-conviction petitions as well as trial court appeals in misdemeanor and felony cases. In 1996, the General Assembly of Tennessee increased the court's membership from nine to twelve. Importantly, a three-member panel sits monthly in Nashville, Knoxville, and Jackson. However, the court may be held in other places when necessary. By permission, all decisions of the Criminal Court of Appeals except in capital cases may be appealed to the Supreme Court in the state. Notably, capital cases are appealed automatically. The Court of Criminal Appeals does not accept testimonies, juries, or witnesses .Rather, attorneys present written and oral arguments. The court's judges serve a term of eight years but may run for re-election. Just like in the Supreme Court, when a vacancy occurs the governor appoints a new judge from three candidates recommended by the Judicial Selection Commission (Wilson, 2015). The justice serves until the next general elections. General Sessions Court Wilson (2015) writes that the jurisdiction of General Sessions Court varies between counties based on private acts and statutes enacted by the legislature. The court has limited jurisdiction and hears criminal and civil cases in every county, including matters that were formally heard and determined by Justices of the Peace. The General Sessions Courts' civil jurisdiction is restricted to certain types of actions and specific monetary limits. The limit in criminal jurisdiction is on preliminary proceedings in trials of misdemeanor and felony cases whereby a defendant waives the right to trial by jury in criminal or circuit court and investigation by a grand jury. Furthermore, judges of General Sessions Court serve as Juvenile Court judges in all counties without an established Juvenile Court. Importantly, new General Sessions justices must be attorneys. Lastly, the judges are elected to serve eight year terms. Criminal Courts The General Assembly establishes Criminal Courts in areas with case backlog. Not only do Criminal Court judges have jurisdiction over criminal trials but they also hear misdemeanor appeals from the lower courts (“Tennessee”, 2013). Circuit Court judges handle criminal cases in districts that have no criminal courts. Circuit courts In Tennessee, Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction. The judges of these courts hear criminal and civil cases as well as appeals of judgments from Municipal, General Sessions, Juvenile, and City courts (“Tennessee”, 2013). Criminal courts are heard in Circuit Courts except in the districts that have separate Criminal Courts. Officers who facilitate efficient operations of the Criminal Court System Trial and Appellate Court Clerks According to Wilson (2015), the responsibility of trial and appellate court clerks is to maintain records and dockets and handle administrative matters of their courts. Moreover, since the clerks interact with the public on a day-to-day basis, they help establish a good relationship between the citizens and the judicial system. Circuit Court clerks are elected in each county to serve four-year terms. They also act as General Sessions Court clerks in the counties that have no designated clerks of The General Sessions Court. Again, clerks are elected in counties that have criminal and probate courts (Wilson, 2015). Lastly, the Chancery Court judge appoints a clerk and master to serve in the Chancery Court for a term of six years. The responsibility of the appellate court clerk's office is filing documents that are submitted by parties with cases on appeal. The Supreme Court appoints the appellate courts' clerk to serve a six-year term. The clerk is based in Nashville but oversees offices in Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville (Wilson, 2015). Lastly, each office has a chief deputy clerk. Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) The office provides support to the court system in Tennessee. The Supreme Court appoints a director to oversee the AOC and serve as the courts' administrative officer. The office is responsible for disbursing funds to lawyers appointed by the court to represent indigent...