Circuit Court Clerk
About the Office
The Rutherford County Circuit Court Clerk is a constitutional officer elected by the citizens of Rutherford County to serve a four-year term. The Circuit Court Clerk is responsible for the administration and efficient operation of the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and serves as an important link between the courts, judges, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, county government, and the public.
The duties and authority of the Circuit Court Clerk are established by Tennessee law, including Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 18-1-105 and 18-1-108, along with applicable court rules and Rutherford County policies.
The Circuit Court Clerk also serves as Clerk of the General Sessions and Juvenile Courts and oversees Juror Administration for the county’s courts.
The office provides administrative, financial, records, case-management, jury, and courtroom support for the courts while assisting members of the public and the legal community with court-related matters.
Divisions of the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is organized into seven primary divisions:
- Administration
- Civil Court
- Criminal Court
- Traffic Court
- Records and Archives
- Juvenile Court
- Jury Administration
Each division has specific responsibilities that contribute to the efficient operation of the courts and the delivery of court services to the public.
Responsibilities and Services
The business services and responsibilities of the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office are defined by state statute, court rules, and county policies. These responsibilities include:
- Administration and management of daily office operations
- Court case management and docket administration
- Processing and maintaining court filings and records
- Records management, preservation, and archival services
- Preservation and management of court exhibits
- Financial management and statutory fiduciary responsibilities for Circuit, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts
- Jury administration and coordination
- Technology planning, implementation, and deployment
- Employee training and professional development
- Implementation of new laws, court procedures, and technology
- Statutory dissemination of information and reporting to state and local agencies
- Courtroom and administrative support for judges and judicial personnel
- Providing information and assistance to attorneys, litigants, jurors, law enforcement, and members of the public
Tennessee Circuit Courts
Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction in Tennessee. Circuit judges hear civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals from certain decisions of General Sessions, Juvenile, and Municipal Courts.
The jurisdiction of Circuit Court may overlap with that of Chancery Court in certain matters.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office provides the administrative and record-keeping services necessary to support Circuit Court proceedings. These services include case management, docket administration, filing and records management, financial processing, jury administration, and courtroom support.
General Sessions Court
General Sessions Court jurisdiction varies from county to county and is established by state law and, in some instances, private acts of the General Assembly.
General Sessions Courts hear both civil and criminal matters within the jurisdiction established by law. Civil jurisdiction is subject to statutory monetary limits and the types of actions authorized by law. Criminal jurisdiction includes preliminary hearings in felony cases and misdemeanor matters within the court’s statutory authority.
In counties where a separate Juvenile Court has not been established, the General Sessions judge may also serve as the Juvenile Court judge.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office provides administrative and records support for General Sessions Court proceedings and assists with the processing and maintenance of court-related information and documentation.
Juvenile Court
Juvenile Court jurisdiction is established by Tennessee law. Juvenile Court handles proceedings involving minors within the court’s statutory jurisdiction, including matters involving delinquency, unruliness, dependency, and neglect.
Juvenile Courts may also have concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit, Chancery, and Probate Courts in certain matters as provided by law.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office provides administrative, records, financial, jury, and courtroom support for Juvenile Court proceedings.
Serving Rutherford County
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is committed to providing accurate, timely, professional, and courteous service to everyone who interacts with the court system.
Our office works every day to maintain accurate records, protect the integrity of court information, support the judiciary, assist the legal community, and provide the public with access to court services and information as provided by law.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office does not make judicial decisions or determine the outcome of cases. Those responsibilities belong to the judges of the respective courts. The Clerk’s Office provides the administrative infrastructure and support necessary for the courts to conduct their business.
Our goal is to provide an office that is accessible to the public, dependable for the judiciary and legal community, and professional in every aspect of its service to Rutherford County.
Pay court cost here ↓
