8^th Judicial District Courts

Union County, along with Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress and Scott Counties, make up the 8^th Judicial District in East Tennessee.

Union County Criminal Court

Honorable E. Shayne Sexton presides over Criminal Court each month which receives and processes all felony affidavits of probable cause, grand jury indictments, arrest warrants and holds jury trials (see Court Calendar and Criminal Rules of Court). Justice is determined in the courtroom and hundreds of court appearance notices and subpoenas are mailed each month. Among other things, pleadings are accepted, criminal histories are prepared and court fines and fees are collected. The first day of each session is a non-jury day and court begins at 8:30 a.m., all other days begin at 9:00 a.m.

Union County Circuit Civil Court

Honorable John McAfee presides over Circuit Civil Court of the Eighth Judicial District. Status/motion days along with trial dates are held several times a month (see Circuit Court Calendar, Rules of Court and Filing Fees). Adoptions, appeals, divorces, child support, jury trials, workers compensation, Orders of Protections, Damages/Torts, Contract/Debt, Conservatorship, Real Estate Matters, Guardianship, Paternity, and other domestic relations are just a few examples of cases filed in Circuit Court.

Child Support Court

Tennessee child support laws dictate how much child support will be paid to the custodial parent. Child support laws in Tennessee are similar to those in other states. As with all other states, Tennessee does not take lightly failure to pay child support once there is a court order, so if you are having problems with paying your child support, it is critical that you contact a qualified Tennessee Child Support attorney to help you get your payments reduced. The child support laws of most states look at only a few factors, and you may find that Tennessee child support award takes into account only: (1) How much you earn (2) How much your ex earns (3) How many children you have; and (4) What percentage of time the children are under each parent’s care and control. Honorable Greg Miller serves as the Child Support Referee for the 8^th Judicial District. Child Support is a part of the Circuit Court and is held twice a month. (see Child Support Calendar) Child Support Services are located in Huntsville, TN. For more information you can call them at (423)663-2532.

Union County General Session, Civil and Juvenile Court

General Sessions Court-Honorable Darryl Edmonson presides over the General Sessions, Civil Sessions and Juvenile Courts. General Sessions is each Friday and begins at 9:00 a.m. Preliminary Hearings are held the fourth Thursday of each month. General Sessions handles misdemeanors such as traffic violations, boating, fishing, hunting offenses, assaults, misdemeanor thefts and Orders of Protections. All criminal warrants start out in the General Sessions Court with all felony cases bound over to Criminal Court.

General Sessions Civil Court is held the fourth Thursday of each month and begins at 9:00 a.m. Sessions Civil is referred to as small claims court (under $25,000.00) and deals with Civil Warrants, Warrants to Recover, Detainer Warrants, Bank Levy and Garnishments.

Juvenile Court is held on the first three Wednesdays of each month and begins at 9:00 a.m. People under the age of 18 are called minors. There are two types of cases for minors. The first is Juvenile Dependency which deals with a minor when they are abused or neglected. The second is Juvenile Delinquency and deals with a minor when they break the law. Juvenile matters such as requests to establish support/nonsupport, proceedings related to parentage, paternity cases, legitimations, delinquency, unruly cases, traffic cases, consent orders, marriage waivers, custody, felony, misdemeanor cases and all other juvenile proceedings. The judge decides if the Court will take control of the minor’s future. If it does, the judge has to think about what is best for the minor and how to make the minor take responsibility for his or her actions. Then, the Court decides how to take care of, treat and guide the minor. This can include punishment so the minor learns to obey the law. The Court wants the child to learn to be a positive member of his or her family and community. Please call 992-3081 for information for filing fees and court cost.