TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Feb 17, 2022

Democratic state lawmakers are considering whether to renew a push for the removal of Rutherford County Juvenile Court Judge Donna Scott Davenport ahead of her retirement in August, the Tennessean reports. State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, and state Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, co-sponsored a resolution that sought to oust Davenport after a WPLN and ProPublica report was published detailing the county’s history of illegally arresting and jailing children. Shortly after, Davenport announced she would retire by Aug. 31. Johnson and Campbell say they are waiting to see if any state or federal investigations might lead to Davenport’s departure before deciding whether to put the legislation on notice for House and Senate committees to discuss. Gov. Bill Lee in October had asked the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct to examine the issues with Davenport, but the board said it would not continue to examine a retiring judge. Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said he doesn’t foresee the resolution being approved, noting that Democrats opposed a Republican effort to remove Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle in 2021.