Sanjines vs. Ortwein & Assoc.
03S01-9712-CV-00139

Hamilton Supreme Court

Alcazar vs. Hayes
03S01-9804-CV-00035

Bradley Supreme Court

State vs. Eduardo Wells
02C01-9709-CR-00345

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Stacy Williford
02C01-9710-CC-00416

Fayette Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Antonio Saulsberry/Franklin Howard
02C01-9710-CR-00406

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Antonio Saulsberry/Franklin Howard
02C01-9710-CR-00406

Shelby Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Johnny Jones/Clifton Mitchell
02C01-9801-CC-00026

Fayette Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Robert Taylor
02C01-9808-CC-00239

Lake Court of Criminal Appeals

Mary Dowdy vs. Myles/Arlene Wilson
02A01-9709-CV-00237
Trial Court Judge: James F. Russell

Shelby Court of Appeals

Walker vs. Saturn Corp.
01S01-9703-CV-00048

Supreme Court

Walker vs. Saturn Corp.
01S01-9703-CV-00048

Supreme Court

Est. of Ruth Garrett vs. St. Thomas Hospital
01S01-9710-CV-00218

Supreme Court

Est. of Ruth Garrett vs. St. Thomas Hospital
01S01-9710-CV-00218

Supreme Court

Wilson vs. Wilson
01S01-9807-CV-00130

Supreme Court

Robert L. DeLaney v. Brook Thompson, et al.
01S01-9808-CH-00144
Authoring Judge: Chief Justice Ames Davis, Special Supreme Court
Trial Court Judge: Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle

In this case, we are invited to decide whether the Tennessee Plan for election of appellate judges, codified as Title 17, Chapter 4 of the Tennessee Code Annotated, is unconstitutional for a variety of reasons, but most particularly because it contemplates “retention elections” for incumbent appellate judges. In general, the Tennessee Plan provides that an incumbent appellate judge may run for reelection unopposed on the ballot, provided the incumbent’s retention has been recommended by the judicial evaluation commission; the judge will be retained in office if a majority of those voting in the election for that judge’s seat vote for such retention. Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-4- 115(d)(1)(1994). It is the duty of all courts, including the Supreme Court, to pass on a constitutional question only when it is absolutely necessary for the determination of thecase and of the rights of parties to the litigation. Glasgow v. Fox, 214 Tenn. 656, 666-667, 383 S.W. 2d 9, 13-14 (1964). See also, Jackson v. Davis, 530 F. Supp. 2, 4 n. 1 (E.D. Tenn.), aff’d, 667 F. 2d 1026 (6th Cir. 1981). We hold that it is not necessary to address the constitutionality of the Tennessee Plan in this case, because it is not applicable to the facts of this case. For that reason, the Court of Appeals erred in holding the Tennessee Plan constitutional, just as the trial judge erred in holding the Plan unconstitutional. We reach this conclusion because the express provisions of the Tennessee Plan render it inapplicable to the election for which defendant Brook Thompson, State Coordinator of Elections, refused to accept a qualifying petition submitted by the plaintiff, Robert L. DeLaney.

Supreme Court

State vs. Stephen Osborne
01C01-9708-CC-00327
Trial Court Judge: J. S. Daniel

Rutherford Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. David Jones
01C01-9710-CC-00445

Hickman Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Carlos Parker
01C01-9712-CC-00574
Trial Court Judge: Robert E. Burch

Cheatham Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Stuart Jenkins
01C01-9712-CR-00590
Trial Court Judge: John J. Maddux

Putnam Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Brian Roberson
01C01-9801-CC-00043
Trial Court Judge: Donald P. Harris

Williamson Court of Criminal Appeals

State vs. Clessie Jaco
01C01-9802-CC-00091
Trial Court Judge: Robert L. Jones

Maury Court of Criminal Appeals

Nora Meadows vs. Bd. of Emrg. Medical Srvcs.
M2001-00478-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Trial Court Judge: Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
The Tennessee Department of Health Board of Emergency Medical Services found Nora Diane Meadows, Petitioner, guilty of violating rules and regulations of the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services Act, and recommended revocation of the petitioner's Emergency Medical Technician's license. Petitioner was convicted of theft under $500.00. From the Board's decision to revoke her license, she appealed to the Chancery Court for Davidson County and that court reversed the Board's decision finding that there was no proof that the petitioner's offense involved moral turpitude. We reverse the Chancellor and reinstate the judgment of the Board.

Davidson Court of Appeals

Elizabeth Sorrell vs. Larry Henson
02A01-9609-JV-00212
Trial Court Judge: Kenneth A. Turner

Shelby Court of Appeals

Larry Granderson vs. Lisa Hicks
02A01-9801-JV-00007
Trial Court Judge: A. V. Mcdowell

Shelby Court of Appeals

Theo Jennings vs. Illinois Co.
02A01-9803-CV-00056
Trial Court Judge: George H. Brown

Shelby Court of Appeals