Bill > SB2025

This bill establishes a pilot project to create criminal magistrates in the ten Tennessee counties with the highest judicial caseloads, as identified by the state comptroller's annual weighted caseload study. If a county's legislative body, such as the county commission, approves the creation of this position through an ordinance, the judges of that county's criminal courts will appoint the magistrate, who will serve at their pleasure. These criminal magistrates will be responsible for a range of judicial duties, including conducting arraignments, initial appearances, preliminary hearings, issuing warrants, determining indigency, accepting guilty pleas for certain offenses, and reviewing collateral petitions for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies. The magistrates will serve four-year terms and can be removed by a majority vote of the appointing judges, with their compensation determined by the county's elected judges and approved by the legislative body.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2025&ga=114