Clarksville Municipal Court will return to in-person judicial proceedings on March 16, in accord with an updated order by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Jeff Bivins last month revised the previously imposed state of emergency for the judicial branch and lifted the suspension of most in-person proceedings beginning on various dates in March. The order said the revisions were occurring “in light of the recent and continuing decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Tennessee.”
The order says that in-person court proceedings in all state and local courts in Tennessee -- including but not limited to municipal, juvenile, general sessions, trial, and appellate courts -- may resume on Monday, March 15. Clarksville Municipal Court will resume in-person proceedings on Tuesday, March 16, because the Court traditionally doesn’t meet on Mondays.
Such in-person proceedings must be conducted in accordance with the approved comprehensive written plan for the 19th Judicial District. The district plan can be found at https://www.tncourts.gov/node/6042449
That plan says face coverings are required over the nose and mouth in court facilities, except for children 12 and under, for those with an underlying medical condition, or in situations when a face covering poses a safety or security risk.
Clarksville Municipal Court offices have remained open amid pandemic restrictions to answer questions and reset court and hearing dates. The Court will continue to offer the use of Zoom video conferencing after in-person proceedings resume to continue efforts to reduce pandemic impacts.
Reach the court at 931-648-4604 or by email at ernie.griffith@cityofclarksville.com