Simultaneous Service as a Part-Time General Sessions Judge and Juvenile Magistrate - Articles

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Posted by: Azya Thornton on Aug 5, 2025

Court: TN Attorney General Opinions

Hearing Date: 07/29/2025

Opinion Number: 14

Question: Is a recurring part-time general sessions and juvenile court judge in a class five county allowed to accept an appointed position to serve as a juvenile magistrate in a different and distinct class one county and hold both positions simultaneously?

Opinion: Likely not. Article VI, Section 7 of the Tennessee Constitution prohibits the judge of an inferior court from holding any other office of trust or profit. And based on existing precedent, we believe a court would likely conclude that the position of juvenile magistrate constitutes an office of trust or profit within the meaning of this provision.

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