Courts in Tennessee are organized in three layers, and knowing which layer handles your problem saves hours at the courthouse. Most people never see the state Supreme Court. They deal with a city court over a speeding ticket, a General Sessions court over a landlord dispute, or a circuit or criminal court clerk over a divorce or a felony charge. This page explains who runs each level, how the state's three Grand Divisions differ, and how to pick the right office from the courts in our Tennessee directory.

How the Tennessee Court System Is Organized

The judicial branch is set out in the state constitution and in Title 16 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. Appellate courts sit at the top, trial courts of general jurisdiction in the middle, and local courts of limited jurisdiction at the bottom. The Administrative Office of the Courts in Nashville supports judges and clerks with training, technology and statistics. It does not hear cases or take complaints about rulings.

Judges reach the bench in two ways. Trial judges are elected by voters in their district for eight-year terms. Appellate judges and Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor, confirmed by the legislature, and later face yes-or-no retention votes. Clerks are a separate matter. Circuit court clerks are elected county officials, and their counters are where most residents actually do business with the courts.

Metro Courthouses and Rural Courthouse Squares Across the Three Grand Divisions

Tennessee is split into East, Middle and West Grand Divisions, and court life changes as you cross them. The big metro areas run large, specialized operations. In Shelby County, Memphis Criminal Court I sits at 616 Adams Avenue (901-405-8843). In Nashville, Davidson Criminal Court I is at 408 2nd Avenue North (615-862-5164). Knox Circuit Court is at 400 Main Street West in Knoxville (865-215-2400). Chattanooga Criminal Court, in Hamilton County, is at 600 Market Street (423-209-7660). Expect security screening, several divisions, and dockets organized by judge.

Rural counties work differently. The courthouse usually stands on the county-seat square, and one building may hold the circuit clerk, General Sessions and the county clerk. Carroll Criminal Court is at 99 Court Square in Huntingdon (731-986-1926). Benton County Court is at 1 Court Square in Camden (731-584-6711). Crockett Circuit Court is at 1 South Bells Street in Alamo (731-696-5462). Judges in rural districts often cover several counties, so some courts meet on a set schedule rather than every day. Call the clerk before you drive.

Listing density follows the number of local courts as much as population. Gibson County leads our database with 13 listings. Its towns, including Trenton, Humboldt and Milan, are a likely reason, since small cities often run their own courts alongside the county's. Sullivan County follows with 10, including Bristol City Court at 801 Anderson Street (423-989-5563). Bristol sits on the Virginia line, so confirm you are dealing with the Tennessee side before you go.

City Courts, Criminal Courts and Why Names Differ on Tennessee Listings

City courts are the most common stop for ordinary residents. Greene City Court is at 145 Alexander Street in Greeneville (423-638-6211). Cookeville City Court is at 45 East Broad Street (931-520-5254). Linden City Court, in Perry County, is at 216 East Main Street (931-589-2736). Celina City Court, in Clay County, is at 143 Cordell Hull Drive (931-243-2115). Ashland City Court, in Cheatham County, is at 101 Court Street (615-792-5719). These courts deal with traffic tickets, ordinance violations and similar local matters. They do not handle felonies, divorces or large civil suits.

The word "criminal" on a listing can mean different things. In some districts a separate criminal court tries felonies. In others the circuit court carries the criminal docket. Examples in our database include Williamson Criminal Court at 135 4th Avenue South in Franklin (615-790-5444), Madison County Criminal Court at 110 Irby Street in Jackson (731-988-3025), and Washington Criminal Court at 108 West Jackson Boulevard in Jonesborough (423-753-1612). Some listings may point to the clerk's office that serves a criminal docket rather than the courtroom itself, so a quick call confirms where to go.

Juvenile matters add another layer. Lebanon Criminal Juvenile Court, at 134 South College Street in Lebanon (615-444-2114), serves Wilson County. If your issue involves a minor, ask the clerk which court has jurisdiction before you file anything.

A Practical Checklist Before You Visit a Tennessee Court

A little preparation prevents most wasted trips. These points apply almost everywhere in the state.

Free Legal Help and Where to Raise a Concern

Court clerks can explain forms, deadlines and fees, but they cannot give legal advice. If you cannot afford a lawyer, nonprofit legal aid groups cover the state by region. They include Memphis Area Legal Services, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, and West Tennessee Legal Services. Eligibility depends on income and the type of case.

For complaints, use the body that matches the problem. The Board of Professional Responsibility oversees attorney conduct. The Board of Judicial Conduct reviews complaints about judges' behavior. Disagreement with a ruling is handled through an appeal, not a complaint, and the deadlines are short.

Courts in Tennessee operate under a unified state judicial system that handles everything from traffic infractions and small claims disputes to major felony trials and civil litigation. The Tennessee Supreme Court serves as the highest state court with authority over all state court matters.

Courts locations are available in 253 cities across Tennessee. They are spread across 96 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Memphis, Greeneville, Lebanon, reflecting areas where county seats and urban centers house multiple court divisions to handle high caseloads.

Residents of Tennessee should know which court has jurisdiction over their matter — whether it is a municipal, district, circuit, or superior court — before filing documents or appearing for a hearing.

Courts by Counties

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Residents of Tennessee who need to access court services should identify the correct court for their matter, check the court's website for filing fees, forms, and procedures, and consider using the court's self-help resources if they are not represented by an attorney.

Browse Courts by county across Tennessee to find the nearest location.

Reading Court Listings in Smaller Tennessee Counties

Outside the metro areas, one Tennessee county often has several court listings with similar names. In McMinn County, Athens Criminal Court sits at 6 East Madison Avenue in Athens (423-745-1923). In neighboring Polk County, Polk Criminal Court is at 6239 Highway 411 in Benton (423-338-4527). Bradley County Court is at 155 North Ocoee Street in Cleveland (423-728-7214).

West Tennessee follows the same pattern. Carroll County, with nine listings, centers its business on the square in Huntingdon. In Middle Tennessee, Centerville Criminal Court (104 College Avenue, 931-729-2211) serves Hickman County. Clarksville Criminal Court (2 Millenium Plz, 931-648-5766) serves fast-growing Montgomery County.

Three habits help in every county. Start with the clerk's office, because clerks post dockets, fees and filing rules. Confirm the street address by phone, since several courts may share one building. Then ask which court actually holds your matter: a city court, General Sessions, or the circuit or criminal court. A wrong guess costs a trip, and in a rural county the courthouse can be a long drive away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Courts in Tennessee

General Sessions courts exist in every Tennessee county and handle the everyday workload: misdemeanors, preliminary hearings in felony cases, evictions, and civil claims below a dollar limit set by statute and local private acts. They move quickly, and many cases finish in one hearing with no jury. Circuit courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction. They hold jury trials, hear larger civil suits and divorces, try felonies in districts without a separate criminal court, and take appeals from General Sessions. If your claim is modest or your charge is a misdemeanor, expect to start in General Sessions. Ask the clerk to confirm the civil limit in your county.

Read the citation first. It names the court, the date and the amount, and it indicates whether you can resolve it without appearing. City courts such as Greene City Court in Greeneville (423-638-6211) or Cookeville City Court (931-520-5254) can tell you whether they accept payment by mail, in person or online, and which forms of payment they take. If you want to contest the ticket, you must appear on the listed date. Ignoring a citation can lead to a warrant, added costs or trouble with your driver license, so call the clerk before the court date if you cannot attend.

Tennessee law sets a minimum waiting period after you file. It is 60 days when the couple has no minor children and 90 days when they do. Contested cases usually take much longer, because property, support and parenting plans must be settled or tried. You file in the circuit or chancery court, and the clerk's office assigns a case number and collects filing costs. Agreed divorces move fastest. Clerks cannot give legal advice, but they can explain forms and deadlines. If you cannot afford the costs, ask the clerk about the pauper's oath, a sworn statement of inability to pay.

Yes. A losing party in a General Sessions civil case can appeal to the circuit court of the same county, generally within ten days of the judgment. The circuit court then holds a new trial, called a trial de novo, instead of simply reviewing the earlier record. You can present your evidence again, and a jury can be requested. Appeals involve bond or cost requirements, so go to the General Sessions clerk right away and ask what your county requires. Missing the short deadline usually ends your options, so write down the judgment date the day you receive it.

You file a sworn petition with the clerk of a court in your county that hears these cases. Ask the clerk which court that is, since it varies. Many counties can connect you with a domestic violence advocate who helps with the paperwork. Tennessee law bars charging the victim a filing fee. A judge can issue a temporary order based on your petition, and a full hearing is then set, typically within about two weeks, where both sides can speak. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first and finish the paperwork afterward. Bring photo ID and any records of incidents, such as photos or messages.

Four nonprofit legal aid groups divide the state by region. Memphis Area Legal Services serves the Memphis area, Legal Aid of East Tennessee covers the east, the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands covers the middle of the state, and West Tennessee Legal Services serves the western counties, including Jackson. Eligibility depends on income and the type of case, and housing, family safety and public benefits are common priorities. Court clerks cannot give legal advice, but they can hand you forms and explain deadlines. The state court system's website also offers self-help guides and forms, and some local bar associations run clinics.