Overview

• Tennessee’s courts are funded through a mixture of state and local funding. The trial and appellate courts are funded by the state, but county and municipal courts are funded locally. The state pays the salaries of trial court judges, court reporters and some other court personnel. The state also pays the costs of automation and travel. County and municipal court judges and all court clerks are paid by the county or city.
• Tennessee’s appropriation increased from $121.5 million in FY11 to $125.3 million in FY12, an increase of less than 4%. Their FY11 budget was increased during the fiscal year. They will be able to maintain the same number of judges, but will need to decrease the number of staff positions. They will increase the amount spent on operating costs.
• To reduce spending the Tennessee courts have had to lay off staff, freeze staff salaries, and reduce the use of retired judges.
• Technology initiatives include e-filing and e-payment of fees and fines. The Judiciary provided funds to the trial courts to enable them to purchase videoconferencing equipment for video arraignments.

Reports and Articles

• Lawrence Buser.  "Juvenile Detention Could Shrink in Memphis Due to Budget."  The Commercial Appeal. February 12, 2010.
• M. J. Ellington.  "Courts Could Lose 600 Jobs, Cobb Says."  Decatur Daily.com. January 27, 2010.

Gavel to Gavel

• Database. Search the Gavel to Gavel legislation database based on state, year, legislation category, or any combination.