Mission Statement  

To provide fair, courteous, and timely service to every individual and agency having business with the Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court.  It is the goal of this office that the clerk duties are conducted with integrity and according to state law, the office is accessible, and that the staff is friendly and helpful.

 

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Overview Of Responsibilities

• Courtroom Support for Judge and Court Personnel
• Case Management
• Financial Management
• Collecting and Receipting Money
• Maintaining Bookkeeping Entries
• Investing Funds as ordered by the court
• Issuing and entering criminal and civil process
• Log mail received
• Jury Administration
• Assisting the Public as the Law provides
• Training and Implementation of new laws and court procedures
• Required reporting of data to various agencies
• Maintain bonding agent records
• Any other duties that may apply

 

Cost Collection

It is the duty of the clerk to collect all court costs.  We do not accept personal checks.  Individuals may pay by cash, cashier check, money order, or credit/debit card.

You may also pay online by entering courtfeepay.com in Circuit and General Sessions cases.  There is a 3% or $3.00 charge for the use of this service.

 

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Legal Advice

Tennessee law strictly prohibits Court Clerks and their staff from giving any legal advice.  A court clerk may not make any recommendations about legal actions to take, or refrain from taking, interpret legal terminology, perform legal research, or comment on the likely outcome of actions.  If you are unclear on what action to take, you should seek the advice of an attorney.  Clerks may not suggest or recommend an attorney.  At all times clerks are to refrain from giving any advantage to one party over another.

If you are involved in a civil action and cannot afford an attorney, you may contact West Tennessee Legal Services.

If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, you may qualify to have one appointed to represent you.

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Court ADA Coordinator

If you have a disability and require assistance, please call Denise Taylor, Court ADA Coordinator, at (731) 507-0999 Ext.#1, then #2.

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Public Records Policy

The public records policy for the Obion County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is on file in the clerk’s office and the County Mayor’s office.

»More Information

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Jury Information

As a juror, you serve a vital role in our Judicial System and your service is an important responsibility of citizenship.  The United States Constitution guarantees everyone the right to trial by an impartial jury.  Without willing jurors, the fairness and integrity of our Judicial System could not be maintained.

Selection

Jurors are selected at random from a computerized jury pool that is currently made up of Tennessee Department of Safety licensed Obion County drivers.  Jurors are compensated at the rate of $11 for each day’s attendance.

If you are summoned for jury duty, please follow the instructions that you received.  Please come the first day of your orientation.  On that day, you will be given the date of our next scheduled trial.  You will be instructed to call in after 5:00 pm the evening before to confirm the trial.  We also use a text system that we use with most cell phone carriers that will be explained to you.

Technology
The use of cellular telephones, laptop computers, or other communication devices during a trial is prohibited.

Absence from Employment – Amount of Compensation

Any employee shall on the next day the employee is engaged in such employee’s employment exhibit the summons to the employee’s immediate superior.

The employee shall be entitled to such employee’s usual compensation received from such employment, less the amount of the fee or compensation the employee received for serving as a juror.

This does not apply to any employer who employees on a regular basis less than (5) people or to any employee who has been employed on a temporary basis for less than (6) months.

 

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Grand Jury

The Grand Jury consists of thirteen members and at least two alternates, one of which serves as the foreperson.

Duties

The duties of the grand jury are:
To consider all criminal cases submitted to it by the District Attorney General.
To inquire into any abuse of office by state or local officer.
To inquire into any report of criminal offense brought to its attention by a member of the grand jury.
To report the results of its actions to the court.

The Grand Jury meets the first Tuesday of the months of February, June, and October.  A special Grand Jury may be called if necessary.

Court Rules

1. ITEMS NOT ALLOWED:  cellphones, purses, bags, briefcases, knives, weapons, inappropriate clothing determined by officer. (see #2)
2. Dress code enforced:  No shorts, revealing clothing including tank & halter tops, pajamas, sagging pants, gang related clothing, clothing with holes or rips, or house shoes.
3. Visitors are subject to screening before entering the court room.
4. NO food or drink allowed.
5. If you leave the court room, you will not be allowed back in until court is in recess.
6. Anyone talking to or attempting to make contact with inmates, may it be verbally or using hand gestures, will be escorted out of the court room.