TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince & Berkley Schwarz on Oct 27, 2021

After amending Rule 13, Section 5(a)(1) yesterday to add “juvenile transfer proceedings” to the types of cases a trial court, in its discretion, may determine that investigative or expert services are needed to ensure the constitutional rights of the defendant are properly protected, the Tennessee Supreme Court today issued an order that denies other parts of a petition relating to an indigent criminal defendant’s right to fees for expert, investigative, and other support services during criminal proceedings and in juvenile delinquency cases. The petition was filed by the Choosing Justice Initiative, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Tennessee Post-Conviction Defender Organization and two private lawyers.