TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on May 22, 2026

The Tennessee Supreme Court on May 21 issued an opinion ordering the release of documents sealed in connection with a criminal case. The Nashville Banner reports that the records are related to former Judge Cheryl Blackburn’s competence. The ruling comes after Banner reporting in 2024 revealed Blackburn had been falling asleep on the bench and struggling to remember attorneys' names — concerns that prompted defense lawyers to question her fitness for the job. Blackburn has since retired. “This is a landmark victory for public access to judicial records in Tennessee,” Nashville attorney Daniel Horwitz said. “The public will know more about what happens in our courts based on this decision."