Campbell County
Circuit Court Clerk
Courts
Circuit Courts
Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction in Tennessee. Circuit judges hear civil and criminal cases and appeals of decisions from City, Juvenile, Municipal and General Sessions courts. The jurisdiction of Circuit Courts often overlaps that of the Chancery Courts. Criminal cases are tried in Circuit Court except in districts with separate Criminal Courts established by the General Assembly. The Circuit Court Judge for Campbell County is Judge John McAfee.
Criminal Courts
Criminal Courts are established by the General Assembly to relieve Circuit Courts in areas where they are justified by heavy caseloads. Criminal Courts exist in 13 of the State’s 31 judicial districts. In addition to having jurisdiction over criminal cases, the 29 Criminal Court judges hear misdemeanor appeals from lower courts. In districts without Criminal Courts. criminal cases are handled at the trial level by Circuit Court judges. The Criminal Court Judge for Campbell County is Judge Zach Walden.
General Sessions Courts
General Sessions Courts jurisdiction varies from county to county based on state laws and private acts. Every county is served by the court which hears civil and criminal cases. including matters formerly handled by justices of the peace. Civil jurisdiction is restricted to specific monetary limits and types of actions. Criminal jurisdiction is limited to preliminary hearings in felony cases and misdemeanor trials in which a defendant waives the right to a grand jury investigation and trial by jury in Circuit or Criminal Court General Sessions judges also serve as juvenile judges except in counties in which the legislature has established a separate Juvenile Court. General Sessions judges are elected to eight-year terms. General Sessions Judge for Campbell County is Judge Bill Jones.
Juvenile Courts
Juvenile Court jurisdiction is vested in General Sessions Courts in all counties except those in which the law establishes special Juvenile Courts. Juvenile Courts have exclusive jurisdiction in proceedings involving minors alleged to be delinquent, unruly, dependent and neglected. Juvenile Courts also have concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Chancery and Probate Courts in some areas. The Juvenile Court Judge for Campbell County is Judge Bill Jones.