How the Eviction Right to Counsel program supports evictees

It’s a Tuesday and hundreds of landlords and tenants trickle into Judge Sam Coleman’s courtroom at the Metro Nashville Courthouse.

Nearly all of the tenants have been recently evicted and Judge Coleman decides whether or not to grant an extension depending on their circumstances. More often than not, the court sides with the landlord, but tenants have the option to seek help from a coalition of lawyers and nonprofits partially funded by Metro Nashville — The Eviction Right to Counsel Program.

This Is Nashville visited the courtroom to hear from attorneys on both sides and tenants who have come to plea for more time.

This feature is part of the full “This Is Nashville” episode: “Facing Eviction in Nashville.”