Tennessee General Sessions Court
In all fifty states, federal, state, and local courts hear and resolve disputes. The law allows for most cases to be heard in state courts, for some cases to be heard in either state or federal courts, and for a relatively few (though many) cases to be heard only in federal courts. Sometimes, more than one court has jurisdiction or authority to hear a case. In a trial court, when a party involved with a lawsuit is dissatisfied with the result, he or she ordinarily has the right to appeal the trial court’s ruling.
In Tennessee, most cases probably are filed and heard in General Sessions Court. Non-lawyers typically refer to this court as Tennessee’s small claims court, but this description is far from complete. Every county in Tennessee has a General Sessions Court. While the makeup differs among the counties, all Tennessee General Sessions Courts handle both civil and criminal matters. In civil matters, the maximum dollar amount that the General Sessions Courts may award is typically $25,000. They often hear landlord-tenant cases, award possession of units to landlords, authorize evictions, decide creditor-debtor disputes, and resolve lawsuits where damages are less than $25,000. An appeal from General Sessions Court goes to Circuit Court in the county where the suit was heard and decided.
General Sessions Courts are very beneficial: It is relatively inexpensive to file a lawsuit there. The legal costs are lower than in higher courts. All parties involved tell their side of the story not too long after the event that prompted the suit, and hearings and rulings can often be obtained in a matter of months opposed to years.
Moreover, General Sessions Courts hear preliminary hearings in felony cases and certain other criminal cases, hear misdemeanor trials, and decide numerous questions regarding the criminal justice process. Most, but not all, criminal cases are resolved in General Sessions Court. General Sessions Courts also handle criminal appeal and criminal transfer matters.
If you have business in General Sessions Court in Tennessee, think twice before going it alone. Get a lawyer; he or she can be a great ally. For more information, contact Nashville Attorney Perry A. Craft.
Perry A. Craft has dedicated his life to helping people in need. He has tried, settled, or resolved numerous civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts, and has represented teachers and administrators before school boards, administrative judges, and the state Board of Education. Learn more about Attorney Craft.