Bill > HB2251

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 a county commission, authorizes this position through an ordinance, the judges of that county's criminal courts will appoint the criminal magistrate, who will serve at their discretion. These magistrates will handle various initial legal proceedings, including arraignments, initial appearances, setting bonds, determining indigency, accepting guilty pleas for certain offenses, issuing warrants, conducting preliminary hearings, and reviewing collateral petitions for misdemeanors and less serious felonies. The term for a criminal magistrate will be four years, and they can be removed by a majority vote of the appointing judges. Their compensation will be determined by the county's elected judges and approved by the county legislative body, funded by the county's general fund.