No. This is known as ex parte communications and is not only unethical but also against the law.

No. The Jefferson County Juvenile Court reserves detention stays for delinquent offenses (i.e., what would normally be considered a criminal offense in adult court). There are strict laws in Tennessee that govern who can and cannot be placed in juvenile detention, as well as how long they may be kept there.

We cannot tell you that you must or even should retain the services of an attorney. But, just like in other courts, you are entitled to attorney representation, if you so choose.  

The first thing you need to do is contact the law enforcement agency with proper jurisdiction to file a Missing Child Report, which they will place into the National Crime Information Computer (N.C.I.C.).

You may also choose to come by the Juvenile Court Services office to discuss further options, such as in-home services to assist with issues resulting in the runaway behavior and/or filing a juvenile petition.

No. As stated earlier, detention is reserved for delinquent offenses. Runaways will be returned to the custody of their legal custodian/guardian.

You have thirty days from your court date to have payment made to the Juvenile Court Clerk’s office on all costs, fines, restitution, attorney fees, etc. Exceptions are only made on a case-by-case basis, based on extenuating circumstances.

Each case is to be reviewed based on its own circumstances. Therefore, there are no set guidelines that prescribe what will happen with each type of case.

No. Juvenile Court does not have jurisdiction in divorce matters, which are handled in either Chancery or Circuit Courts. In the eyes of the law, both biological parents in a marriage are equally legal custodians of the minor child, until the divorce court says otherwise. Juvenile Court has jurisdiction in custody matters where the parents were not married to one another.

The only way Juvenile Court intervenes is if the child is being abused or neglected, requiring an emergency order of custody. And, even then, by law, Child Protective Services should have been contacted and involved in the matter. Their phone number is 877-237-0004. You may also make a report online through the CPS Web Intake. (Use this online reporting system to report injuries or risk of injuries that are not imminent, life-threatening, that do not require immediate medical care or pose a low risk of harm to the child).

If the parents were not married, the mother is viewed as the sole legal custodian of the child, as outlined in Tennessee statute.  It does not matter if the father’s name was listed on the birth certificate and/or the child has his last name.  However, if a court of proper jurisdiction has established paternity and put down an order in reference to that, then both parents may have some form of custody.

The only way you can file for emergency custody of a juvenile is with the assistance of an attorney. The judge requires that all orders for emergency temporary custody be written and styled accordingly.

Your only other option is to file a regular petition for temporary custody and pay a filing fee. Your case will then be set on a docket about one month in the future, to allow time for all parties to be properly notified by the Court. You will also be acting as your own attorney and required to follow the same rules and procedures as any attorney practicing law in front of the Court.

When the case comes to court, the judge will determine if a Guardian Ad Litem should be appointed.  If the judge determines it to be in the best interest of the child, a GAL will be appointed to represent the child’s interests.

Any custody awarded by the Court is only temporary, pending further orders of the Court.

If he/she is your child, it is your determination if he/she would best be served by a boot camp program. But, the Juvenile Court does not place children in this type of program for you. The Court does not keep a record of boot camp programs, nor, is the Court aware of any insurance provider that will cover such a program for you.

No. Juveniles placed at Mountain View Youth Development Center, which is operated by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, must be adjudicated delinquent and placed in state custody. And, even then, the decision for placement there is up to DCS.

The State of Tennessee may pursue court-ordered support from the legal custodian(s) of a minor child when a court of proper jurisdiction has made him/her a ward of the state. Typically, child support is based on established mandatory guidelines, which are implemented in each case.

You should contact Child Support Enforcement at the Tennessee Department of Human Services at 865-397-9434 and speak to a caseworker regarding the particulars of your case. If the matter requires a review by the Court, the DHS attorney will need to set if for review.

Typically, no. An Assistant Attorney General does not routinely come to Juvenile Court. If you wish to have such representation, you may wish to contact the District Attorney General’s office at 865-397-2367 and ask if an assistant district attorney general is available to prosecute your case.

We cannot advise you whether you should or should not file charges.  But, if you choose to file charges, instead of allowing law enforcement to finish their investigation, they will likely close their case, leaving you to prosecute your case alone.  If you allow them to finish their investigation, and they determine that charges are appropriate, then law enforcement would file the charges and prosecute the case using evidence they have gathered from their investigation.

No. It is unethical for us to recommend specific attorneys. However, we can tell you that any attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee can represent you in Juvenile Court. Attorney fees vary and we suggest that you contact several attorneys to find the one that best suits your needs and budget.  

The Court is not always aware of the caseworker to whom a DCS case has been assigned. We recommend that you call the area DCS office at 865-475-0722.

No. Juvenile Court does not do orders of protection. Those matters must be taken up with the Circuit/Sessions Court Clerk’s office.

The Schedule of Fees, effective July 1, 2007, may be downloaded for review by clicking the link at the top of the page.  *These fees are subject to change, with or without prior notice.

You may wish to visit the website for the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibilityto learn more about your request and/or to download their Memorandum of Complaint.

You may wish to visit the website for the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary to learn more about your request.

You may wish to visit the Tennessee Department of Health‘s website pertaining to social healthcare workers, including mental health, to learn more and download their complaint form.

You may wish to visit the website of the Administrative Office of the Courts to download their brochure entitled Your Rights In Juvenile Court for information on this matter.

You may wish to visit the web site of the Administrative Office of the Courts to download their brochure entitled The Tennessee Handbook for Parents and Guardians in Child Abuse & Neglect Cases for more information on this matter.

You may wish to visit the web site of the Administrative Office of the Courts to download their brochure for family caregivers for more information on this matter.

Dandridge Police Department – 865-397-8862
Jefferson City Police Department – 865-475-2002
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department – 865-397-9411
New Market Police Department – 865-475-7997
White Pine Police Department – 865-674-7771
Tennessee Highway Patrol – 800-737-2682

You may download a free copy of the digital court player from BIS Digital’s website.