Former Nashville judge pleads guilty to corruption charges
Former Davidson County General Sessions Court Judges Casey Moreland pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges involving an attempted bribe and stealing from a program for recovering drug addicts, reports The Tennessean.
Supreme Court chief thanks legislators for authorizing three new judges
Press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation this session funding three new judge positions in Tennessee. The new positions will be in the state’s 19th Judicial District, which serves Montgomery and Robertson counties; the 16th Judicial District, which includes Rutherford and Cannon counties; and the 21st Judicial District, which includes Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Williamson counties.
House and Senate send governor ‘significantly watered down’ juvenile justice reform (updated)
Gov. Bill Haslam’s “Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018” has been approved by both the House and Senate after multiple revisions that Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Jeff Yarbro said on the Senate floor left it “significantly watered down” and perhaps not even deserving its title. Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris basically agreed, saying Yarbro’s comments were “well taken” – but both also agreed the measure is at least a “small step” in the right direction.
Retired TN Supreme Court Justice Frank Drowota dies, age 79
Frank F. Drowota III, who served 25 years on the Tennessee Supreme Court before retiring in 2006, has died at age 79.
New TN courtroom security standards include ‘panic button,’ bullet proofing
News release from Administrative Office of the Courts
Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Judicial Conference and the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference have adopted new minimum courtroom security standards to promote the security and safety of the members of the judiciary, court personnel, and the public. The standards were last updated in the 1990s.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie Greer, former state senator, announces retirement
U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer, a former Republican state senator, has announced his retirement from the bench effective June 30, reports the Greeneville Sun. He’ll take “senior status,” meaning Greer may still be appointed to hear selected cases after stepping down from fulltime duties.
Disgraced former Judge Richard Baumgartner found dead
Richard Baumgartner, who served 19 years as Knox County Criminal Court judge before resigning in disgrace amidst a drug scandal, died Tuesday at the age of 70, reports the News Sentinel.
Norris voices doubts about being confirmed as U.S. District Court judge
State Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris says he will stay in his current elective position until the U.S. Senate actually confirms his nomination as U.S. District Judge for West Tennessee – and he’s not really certain that’s going to happen, reports The Tennessean.
“I don’t trust the United States Senate to follow through on this,” he said during a state Senate GOP caucus meeting. “I’m not going to resign the seat which my constituents have elected me or this leadership for which you elected me.”
Senate confirms ‘Chip’ Campbell as federal judge for Middle TN
The U.S. Senate Tuesday voted 97-0 to confirm President Donald Trump’s nomination of Nashville attorney William “Chip” Campbell as a U.S. District Court judge for Middle Tennessee. Confirmation of three other nominees for judicial post in Tennessee is still pending.
Judge’s law license suspended; legislator says no impeachment plans ‘at this time’
State Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, tells the Kingsport Times News he has no plans “at this time” to launch impeachment proceedings against Hawkins County Juvenile Court Judge Daniel Boyd, whose license to practice law has been suspended because of acknowledged “dishonesty.”
