Introduction

This is a brief research guide that will provide information and resources for Tennessee federal and state courts. Click on the links to access relevant court websites.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Federal court locations for Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.

U.S. District Courts in Tennessee:

Tennessee Eastern
Tennessee Middle
Tennessee Western

U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Tennessee:
Tennessee Eastern
Tennessee Middle
Tennessee Western

Tennessee Courts : The Administrative Office of the Tennessee Courts

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) provides support to the Tennessee Supreme Court and the entire state court system. The director, appointed by the Supreme Court, is administrative officer for the courts and oversees the AOC.

Tennessee Supreme Court

The Tennessee Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort. The five Supreme Court justices may accept appeals of civil and criminal cases from lower state courts. They also interpret the laws and constitutions of Tennessee and the United States. The Supreme Court may assume jurisdiction over undecided cases in the Court of Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals when there is special need for an expedited decision.

Tennessee Court of Appeals

Created by the General Assembly in 1925, the Court of Appeals hears appeals in civil—or non-criminal—cases from trial courts and certain state boards and commissions. The court has 12 members who sit in panels of three. The panels meet monthly in Jackson, Knoxville and Nashville. When necessary, the court may meet in alternate locations.

Circuit, Criminal, Chancery & Business Courts

Tennessee’s 95 counties are divided into 31 judicial districts. Within each 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.

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.

Juvenile and Family Courts

Tennessee is home to 98 juvenile courts with 109 juvenile court judges and 45 magistrates. Of these 98 courts, 17 are designated "Private Act" juvenile courts while the remaining 81are general sessions courts with juvenile jurisdiction.

Municipal Courts

Municipal courts, sometimes called “city courts,” hear cases involving violations of municipal ordinances. 

South Western Reporter. (S.W., S.W. 2d, S.W. 3d). St. Paul, MN : West Publishing Co., 1887-1988. Cases argued and determined in the courts of Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas..

Online: Bloomberg Law, Westlaw Next, and Lexis Advance contain Tennessee Supreme Court decisions from 1846.

Print Location: Library - 5th Floor. KF 135 .S7. The South Western reporter 1st series vol.1-300; 2nd series vols. 1-737. Title changes to West's south western reporter with vol.738-

Continued by: West's south western reporter.The South Western reporter 2nd series vols. 1-737. Title changes to West's South Western Reporter with vol.378-999; 3rd series vol.1-