Understanding what happens in a courtroom can be difficult. Even more so when English is a litigant’s second language. There are services in Tennessee to ensure that every litigant has the access to understand their day in court. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, host Nick Morgan sits down with Ryan Mouser, the Language Access Program Manage…

Attorneys, investigators, and experts are not only entitled to a reasonable fee, but they are also entitled to be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses. Section 4 of Tennessee Supreme Court, Rule 13 gives guidelines for what is covered. In this episode of Appointed Counsel, host Joe Byrd explains this guidance in detail; covering f…

Baseball is full of surprises. You never know when you walk into a ballpark if you might see a perfect game, a runner caught in a pickle, a measuring-tape home run…or an historic legal precedent! On August 20th, 1955, Earl Averill, Jr of the Nashville Vols punched Lyle Luttrell of the Chattanooga Lookouts in an on-field skirmish. Luttrell ended up …

In this very short episode, host Joe Byrd explains the compensation rate increase for indigent attorneys in Tennessee, and how it has been implemented as of July 1st of 2024. There has also been an increase in the cap, based on hours worked. This podcast is intended for attorneys.By Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

The simple explanation of the role of an appellate court judge is to determine whether or not the law was applied correctly in the trial court. However, everyone in an appellate courtroom is human and judges strive to understand the situations of the parties in front of them. Some of those situations can be very personal, especially for self-repres…

In this episode of Appointed Counsel, host Joe Byrd speaks with Lisa Angel, Court Reporter Manager for the AOC, as they discuss the importance of court reporters, the processes of invoicing, and exactly how attorneys should work with court reporters to prepare transcripts. This episode is intended for attorneys and court reporters.…

There are many members of a court staff that make a courtroom work efficiently and effectively. In Tennessee, circuit court judges may have three to four county courtrooms to manage with different staff members in each courtroom. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, AOC Communications Director Samantha Fisher sits down with Chancellor J.B. Cox …

In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, AOC Communications Director Samantha Fisher discusses misconceptions in the courtroom with Tennessee Senior Judge, Don Ash. Find out why Judge Ash considers presiding over court a lot like umpiring a baseball game and the rules that judges in Tennessee follow in order to rule from the bench. Recorded at the …

Almost half of all claims that come into the AOC are related to Juvenile Court. In this episode, host Joe Byrd welcomes Stacy Lynch, Director of the Court Improvement Program, who has a lifetime of experience with Juvenile Courts. Here, Stacy and Joe give insight into how attorneys can navigate the system effectively, including discussion of Rule 1…

Appellate courts can be a mystery. In this episode of Tennessee Court Talk, judges of the Tennessee Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals pull back the curtain. Judges Jill Ayers, Frank Clement, Tom Greenholtz, and Steve Stafford explore a wide variety of topics ranging from arguing cases before appellate courts to the issuance of opinions…

Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and judicial systems here in Tennessee and around the U.S. are finding innovative ways to keep up, from positive uses of AI, to civic education, to improved access to justice, data access, and more. In this episode--recorded at the 2024 Conference of Chief Justices in Nashville, Tennessee--Justice Sarah Campb…

This episode of Appointed Counsel deals with how to get paid when a case in General Sessions court is bound over to the grand jury. As an attorney appointed to represent a defendant in one of these cases, one may question whether or not they may be compensated for the extra time. The short answer is yes, and Joe Byrd is here to explain the details.…

April is Help4TN month! In this episode, the hosts of Lady Justice: Women of the court take over Tennessee Court Talk to discuss the Tennessee Justice Bus. Justice Elizabeth D. Walker of West Virginia and Justice Rhonda K. Wood of Arkansas sit down with Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Jeff Bivins and Anne-Lousie Wirthlin, Director of Access to Just…

Public trust and confidence in the courts is becoming a major concern in the media and among the public, as surveys conducted by the National Center for State Courts have shown declines in public trust over the last decade. Here to discuss this issue--and what can be done about it--are your host, Judge Neal McBrayer of the Tennessee Court of Appeal…

Occasionally Joe Byrd is asked by attorneys how to make sure their claims are processed as quickly as possible. The simple answer is to file everything correctly to avoid having the claim returned by AOC staff. In this episode of Appointed Counsel, host Joe Byrd invites AOC Senior Auditor Jada Herndon to discuss the top 10 most common reasons claim…

This episode will highlight indigent representation and review how several states meet their constitutional obligations to provide attorneys for indigent, or poor, defendants. The host for this episode is Appointed Counsel's own Joe Byrd, who is the lead attorney managing Tennessee’s indigent representation fund. He is joined by Chief Justice Laura…

From the time he was four years old, John McClarty desired of becoming a lawyer. Even in a time when the civil rights movement was evolving and significant Supreme Court decisions were changing the world of education in which he was determined to practice law. In this episode, host Nick Morgan sits down with Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge John Mc…

At the end of the judicial process, a judge is tasked with sentencing the convicted person to a penalty or sanction. The process of sentencing can be complex and have many layers that a judge must work through and research before making a decision on final punishment. In this episode, Judge Steve Sword of the sixth judicial district, Judge Jim Good…

What is a contemporaneous time record and why is it important? According to Rule 13 6(a)(6), attorneys are held to a high degree of care in the keeping of time records supporting claims. In this episode, host Joe Byrd answers questions about the importance of timely recording as appointed counsel in Tennessee. This podcast is primarily for attorney…

The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts receives between 80,000 and 100,000 compensation claims per year from 95 counties across the state of Tennessee. In Appointed Counsel's premiere episode, host Joe Byrd sets out to explain the most efficient way to be paid, scenarios that cause delay and walks listeners through the Indigent Services …

In this episode, host Dave Stripling introduces a new instructional series for attorneys called Appointed Counsel, Dave sits down with its host Joe Byrd, Lead Attorney for the Indigent Services Team. If someone cannot afford an attorney in the U.S. they still have a right to one, and thus our American system and our Constitution ensure an attorney …

Prisons are filled with non-violent offenders who normally spend most of their lives incarcerated and have high rates of recidivism, often due to addiction. Recovery courts are opportunities for qualified inmates to overcome adversity through rehabilitative alternatives to prison. Circuit Court Judge Tammy Herrington of the 5th Judicial District, C…

In this episode, Court of Appeals Judge Frank Clement Jr., Chancellor Anne Martin of Davidson County Chancery Court, Part II, Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa Marsh and Ian Dinkins remember Judge Richard Dinkins for his integrity, fairness, and humbleness while becoming a luminary in the law community.By Tennessee Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts

Jury duty is one way citizens can participate in the judicial process and it's vitally important for a number of reasons. Here to explain why you should actively take part in your jury summons are Judge Lee Davies of Williamson County, Judge Stacy Street of Carter County, Judge Valerie Smith of Memphis, and Judge Wyatt Burk of Bedford County. This …

In this episode we take you to the investiture ceremony of Justice Dwight E. Tarwater to the Tennessee Supreme Court at the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville on September 5, 2023.By Tennessee Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts

General Sessions courts are often referred to as “the court of first resort,” “the people’s court,” or “small claims court.” In Tennessee, General Sessions courts have broad jurisdiction over civil claims and play a key role in almost every criminal prosecution in the state. Join Judges Lee Bussart (Marshall County), Lynda Jones (Davidson County), …

Wellness is critical for both judges and attorneys, who can struggle with demanding careers and lifestyles. Court of Criminal Appeals Judges Tim Easter and Jill Ayers join Chancellor Jerri Bryant and Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program Executive Director Buddy Stockwell as they discuss wellness strategies and tips.…

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13 and court-appointed work. Our guests Lacy Wilber, Assistant General Counsel, and Amy Park, Support Analyst, for the Administrative Office of the Courts, discuss the ins and outs of filing fee claims. Lacy reviews specific rules surrounding expenses and experts, and Amy detail…

The pandemic has created stresses across the court system like never before. Supreme Court Justice Roger Page, former Chief Justice Janice Holder, Judge Russ Parkes and Judge Mary Wagner discuss how to use data and technology as well as alternative dispute resolution strategies to keep courts open and dockets moving.…

On this episode, Judge Vicki Snyder of Henry County, Judge Dan Michael of Shelby County, Judge Tim Irwin of Knox County, and Judge Christy Little of Madison County discuss the mission of juvenile courts in Tennessee and the various dockets that they see every day. From rehabilitation, to reuniting families and keeping children safe, the judges also…

In this episode, we discuss self represented litigation in Tennessee and across the United States by exploring the meaning and definition of a pro se litigant as well as provide advice on how pro se litigants can use state resources to gain more access to the court system and seek free legal advice. Guests include Justice Connie Clark of the Tennes…

In this episode, we take a deep dive into chancery courts in Tennessee. Find out the origins of chancery court, what types of cases chancery court can hear and tips for attorneys entering chancery court for the first time. Guests include Chancellor J.B. Cox of the 17th Judicial District, Chancellor Pam Fleenor of the 11th Judicial District, Chancel…

Episodes 9 and 10 feature two panel discussions we recently attended at Lipscomb University with the three former and the three current female justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court. The conversation was enlightening and lively and it stands for itself. The recording featured in this episode is from the afternoon panel for students and features th…

Episodes 9 and 10 feature two panel discussions we recently attended at Lipscomb University with the three former and the three current female justices of the Tennessee Supreme Court. The conversation was enlightening and lively and it stands for itself. The recording featured in this episode is from the evening panel featured during the 2020 Fred …

About 25 percent of state judges in Tennessee are female, which places Tennessee 45th out of 50 states for women in the judiciary. In this episode, we sit down with Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Connie Clark, Court of Appeal Judge Carma Dennis McGee, Chancellor Jerri Bryant and Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton to discuss the importance of diversi…

We turn our attention to discuss the criminal side of jury instruction. Judge Chris Craft of Shelby County, Judge Dee David Gay of Sumner County and Judge Mark Ward of Shelby County, all members of the Tennessee Judicial Conference Pattern Jury Instructions Criminal Committee, discuss the importance of jury instructions and how critical they can be…

In this episode, Judge Ana Escobar of Nashville, Judge Robert Philyaw of Chattanooga, Assistant Disctrict Attorney Sarah Wolfson of Nashville and Jerry Redman, executive director of Street Grace in Chattanooga, TN discuss how human trafficking and domestic violence intertwine and the steps both the court system, outside organizations and communitie…

Living in an environment with drugs can have devastating consequences for children. In this episode, we learn about the work of the Tennessee Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children from Tabatha Curtis with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations and Amy Coble, State Director of Investigations for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. Judge…

In this episode, Judge Duane Slone, Judge Tim Brock and Mr. Jeff Smith, the Project Director for the eighth judicial district of New York discuss the court’s response to the opioid addiction epidemic beyond implementing traditional drug courts.By Tennessee Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts

In July 2019, the Centers for Disease Control released the most recent opioid overdose mortality rates, which showed a decrease for the first time in a decade at the national level. Unfortunately, that trend did not hold true for Tennessee, where overdose rates rose a modest 4.8 percent. In this episode, Special Agent Tommy Farmer from the Tennesse…

Episode 2 focuses on appellate practice in Tennessee from start to finish. Guests include Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Tim Easter, Court of Appeals Judge Neil McBrayer, and Clerk of the Appellate Courts Jim Hivner. Topics include everything from tips on filing a notice to appeal to brief writing to preparing for oral argument.…

In Tennessee Court Talk's premier episode, Judge Butch Childers (Ret.) and Nashville Attorney John Day, two members of the Tennessee Judicial Conference Pattern Jury Instructions Civil Committee, discuss the importance of jury instructions and how critical they can be to the outcome of a case, the evolution of the committee and advice to judges on …