Tennessee Supreme Court extends order for no jury trials or in-person court proceedings through March 31

January 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

No jury trials or in-person court proceedings except for emergency matters can take place in DeKalb County or anywhere else in Tennessee at least through March 31 due to COVID 19.

The Tennessee Supreme Court announced last Friday, January 15 that it has extended its no jury, no in-person proceedings order, except when exceptions are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Although many litigants have become frustrated because of the delays in getting their cases before the courts, DeKalb County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II and Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin said Wednesday that judges and court clerks have no choice but to comply with the Supreme Court’s order.

“ Back in December, the Supreme Court of Tennessee extended the state of emergency for the judicial branch and that particular order said there would be no in-court proceedings at least through January 31, 2021 except for emergency matters. That particular order listed the various exceptions where a court could conduct an in-court proceeding and those are basically emergency type matters. For example bond hearings on persons who are incarcerated. plea agreements for incarcerated people; orders of protection; Department of Children Services emergency matters like the removal of children. For things like that you can have in-person court and we are doing that although most of those types of hearings I have held by Zoom which has certainly been better than in-person. Last week, January 15 the Supreme Court filed an order that left the state of emergency in effect and the suspension of in-court proceedings until at least April 1. There will be no in-court proceedings through March 31 and that is not just the General Sessions and Juvenile Courts but Circuit Court and Chancery Court and this order applies across the state of Tennessee, not just DeKalb County or our judicial district,” said Judge Cook.

“My heart goes out to all of those that have been affected by this order and I want nothing more than to be able to help them during this time but I have to obey the Tennessee Supreme Court Order. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this difficult time and just know that I am and will work diligently to get your cases before the Judges as quickly as possible when the court system reopens,” said Circuit Court Clerk Martin.

“If anyone has a case set to be heard during this time (through March 31) you need to call my office toward the end of March and hopefully get your new court date. If you were scheduled to appear before Judge Tiffany Gipson on February 1 at 11:00 a.m. your new court date is May 3 at 11:00 a.m. My office is open and available to everyone during this time. If anyone has a need to come to the courthouse you need to call when you get here so that someone can meet you at the door and this is for all offices in the courthouse; the numbers are posted on each door,” added Martin.

“I know it is so frustrating to litigants whether you have a civil case or criminal case to not be able to get the case heard and sometimes our Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin and Clerk and Master Debra Malone get the brunt of the public criticism but they are frustrated like we all are. They are not responsible. This Supreme Court order is the reason that the cases are not being heard and I can tell you none of the judges are going to violate that order. We will work around it as best we can and with Zoom. Hopefully, April 1 the courts will open back up for in-person proceedings,” said Judge Cook.

The judge said he sympathizes with victims of crime and others with civil and criminal cases that need to be heard as well as landlords concerned about eviction or detainer actions.

“The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) last year put down a nationwide moratorium on detainer actions along with the Supreme Court. The thinking was that this was no time to put somebody out on the sidewalk (eviction) because of the financial strain COVID has been on so many people although I understand it is also a financial strain on landlords because many of them owe on their rental property and the banks are looking for payment every month and if the renters are not paying its putting a real burden on them,” he said.

“For those landlords who have rental property that consists of single family homes or residential property, there can be no detainer actions heard at all, whether by in-person or Zoom, or any other way until at least April 1. Tenants are still obligated under the Supreme Court order to continue paying rent but there currently can’t be any detainer action and consequently no writs of possession where the sheriff comes out and actually moves someone out. That only applies to rental property that is used for residential purposes. That does not apply to business rental property,” Judge Cook said.

When in-person court proceedings eventually resume, Judge Cook said it will take some time to work through the backlog of cases.

“We are handling as much as we can through Zoom and what few limited in-person hearings we are able to do but this affects not just the General Sessions and Juvenile Courts but the Circuit and Chancery Courts which in the 13th Judicial District covers seven counties including DeKalb so unfortunately for those waiting on car wreck cases, divorce cases, custody cases and things like that it may be many months after the courts open back up before those cases can ever get back on the docket. I just want everybody to know we have no control over it. I do not. Our other judges do not. The clerks do not. We just have to honor what the Supreme Court says,” said Judge Cook.

January 21, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Longtime DeKalb County Firefighter Matt Adcock has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

The announcement was made during the department’s annual awards program Saturday evening.

Adcock has previously served as Station Commander of the Belk Station and fire department membership recruitment chairman.

Adcock, who also is a member of the county commission from the 6th district and an AEMT employee of the DeKalb EMS, was named the county firefighter of the year in 2017.

January 20, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigers and Lady Tigers took care of business Tuesday night defeating the visiting Smith County Owls and Owlettes.

The Lady Tigers enjoyed a 63 to 47 victory while the Tigers topped the Owls 67 to 62.

In the girls game, DC led 15 to 14 after the 1st period but fell behind 30 to 28 by halftime. The Lady Tigers regained the lead in the 3rd period and had a 48 to 38 advantage heading into the 4th period. DC went on to claim a 63 to 47 win.

Ella VanVranken led the team in scoring with 20 points followed by Kadee Ferrell with 16, Cadee Griffith 7, Megan Cantrell and Madison Martin each with 6, Summer Crook and Natalie Snipes each with 3 and Xharia Lyons with 2 points.

The Tigers led 17 to 13 after the 1st period of the boys game but trailed 35 to 26 at halftime and 47 to 45 after the 3rd period before rallying for a 67 to 62 win.

Jordan Young scored 18 followed by Evan Jones with 14, Luke Jenkins and Connor Close each with 12, Stetson Agee 5, Brayden Antoniak 4, and Elishah Ramos with 2.

The Tigers improve to 7-7 (3-4) and the Lady Tigers are now 7-8 (2-5).

DeKalb County is scheduled to host York Institute on Friday, January 22 starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys game. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.

Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order issued Tuesday limits attendance at high school sporting events through Feb. 27.

Executive Order 74 allows local education agencies and schools to permit school-sponsored sporting events and activities, provided that all such activities, including practices and games or competition, must be conducted in a matter consistent with COVID-19-related guidance and rules adopted by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletics Association.

Players’ parents or guardians and immediate household members can attend games. Lee added that grandparents could attend in the latest executive order.

Others who can attend games are first responders; coaching and team personnel; school, game and facility administrators; athletics officials and media and athletic scouting personnel attending the event in their professional capacity.

Social distancing between persons from different households is required.

Not allowed to attend is school bands, pep bands, cheerleaders and dance teams while the restrictions stay in place.

The TSSAA said in December that these are minimum requirements. School officials may require additional limitation on attendance.

The governor’s office also urges in the executive order that Tennesseans should work from home where possible, given the current spread of COVID-19 throughout the state and the resulting strain on health care resources.

He also urged places of worship to continue to utilize virtual or online services. Persons at weddings and funerals are strongly encouraged to follow the Health Guidelines and maintain appropriate social distancing. It is strongly encouraged that any large public celebration component of wedding and funerals be postponed or attended only by close family members.

Collegiate and professional sporting events and activities are subject to the rules, protocols or guidelines of their respective institutions and governing bodies.