Anyone found guilty of first-degree murder must serve a minimum of 51 years in Tennessee — even if they were juveniles at the time. Now, justices are considering whether that mandatory minimum sentence violates adolescents’ constitutional rights.
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia Clark Dies After Brief Cancer Illness
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia Clark has died. Clark, 71, passed away overnight after brief cancer illness.
Tennessee Supreme Court Hears Case To Reduce Sentences For Juveniles Convicted Of Murder
Nearly 200 people serving life sentences for crimes they committed as teens could see themselves eligible for parole in half the time allowed under current Tennessee law.
Tennessee Supreme Court Considering Whether To End Strict Life Sentences For Juveniles
The state Supreme Court is considering a case that could pave the way for nearly 200 people to be released from prison for crimes they committed as juveniles. Tennessee has some of the harshest sentencing for minors who are convicted of murder in adult court.
Nashville Bombing’s Ripple Effects Disrupt State Agencies, Courts, WeGo Bus Service
Damage and service outages caused by the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville are continuing to interrupt public services Monday, including closing several state office buildings.
Activists Urge Tennessee Supreme Court To Reduce Jail Populations Amid COVID-19 Spike
Several criminal justice reform groups are urging the Tennessee Supreme Court to release people from jails and juvenile detention centers.
Tennessee Again Suspends Jury Trials, Citing The Coronavirus
Tennessee’s record-setting COVID cases have prompted the suspension of all jury trials through the end of January. The order from the state’s Supreme Court came down Tuesday, reinstating rules that initially ran from March through most of May.
Tennessee Supreme Court Unveils Plan To Reduce Racial Disparities In The Legal System
Black Lives Matter protests have sparked conversations nationwide about the role of race in policing. Now, the Tennessee Supreme Court is taking those conversations one step further — to what happens after someone has already been arrested.
Tennessee Supreme Court Commits To Racial Equity Amid Protests Against Racial Disparities In Law Enforcement
A new initiative follows the recent groundswell of protests against systemic racism in policing, but accusations of racial bias are not new in Tennessee’s court system.
Evictions, Jury Trials Can Restart Soon In Tennessee
The Tennessee Supreme Court is easing COVID-19 restrictions that have halted nearly all in-person proceedings in the state, including evictions and jury trials, since late March.
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