The Defendant, Jerry Buckner, was convicted by a Davidson County Criminal Court jury of second degree murder, a Class A felony, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a Class B felony. See T.C.A. §§ 39-13-210 (2018) (second degree murder), 39-17-1307(b)(1)(A) (2018) (subsequently amended) (unlawful firearm possession). The trial court sentenced the Defendant to serve concurrent sentences of forty years for second degree murder and twenty years for the firearm possession. On appeal, he contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his convictions and that the trial court erred in declining to instruct the jury on the defense of self-defense. We affirm the judgments of the trial court and remand for correction of a clerical error on the judgment for the firearm conviction.

The Defendant, Jennifer Ruth Barber, appeals from the Montgomery County Circuit Court’s probation revocation of her eight-year sentence for possession of methamphetamine. On appeal, she contends that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering her to serve her sentence. We affirm the court’s judgment.

Appellant appeals from the trial court’s denial of a motion to vacate a default judgment. Discerning no error, we affirm and remand.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti today filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court supporting President Donald Trump’s application to stay preliminary injunctions issued by multiple district courts in cases addressing birthright citizenship. According to a press release, the brief emphasizes that courts should interpret the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment in line with its original public meaning and should limit their judicial power to specific cases and controversies, consistent with the separation of powers. “Courts are empowered by the Constitution to resolve cases and controversies, not to issue sweeping policy proclamations or manage the executive branch,” Skrmetti said. After Trump signed the executive order, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” three federal judges have issued nationwide preliminary injunctions, freezing the order and ruling it violated the Citizenship Clause. The Trump administration had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in last week. 

With immigration law in a constant state of flux at the moment, the Immigration Law Section has a jam-packed schedule of CLEs coming up to help keep you on top of things. Don't forget that all section members receive a discount on section-sponsored programming!

The annual Immigration Law Forum 2025 will take place in-person in Nashville on April 18 with a full slate of speakers from every type of government and nonprofit work. This seminar is specifically designed both for experienced immigration lawyers and those who are newer to the practice area. The first half of the seminar is focused on updates, while the second half will focus on activism and support. Be sure to make plans to join this informative program and network with your colleagues!

The section also has two webcasts scheduled in advance of the forum. The first, "Protecting Immigrant Rights: Essential Legal Protections and Advocacy Strategies for Attorneys," will be held on March 31 at noon CDT with section executive council member Edith Johnson. This session will focus on what attorneys need to know in this period of enhanced immigration enforcement, how they should counsel their clients and how to look out for the notario fraud that is prevalent in immigrant communities. The second webcast, "Health Care Immigration Compliance in the Era of Trump 2.0," is produced in conjunction with TBA's Health Law Section and is scheduled for April 9 at noon CDT. Speakers Todd Photopulos and Elizabeth Warren will discuss how health care providers should respond if ICE raids their facility, exploring the shifting policy landscape that meets at the intersection of immigration compliance and health law. You won't want to miss these timely seminars!

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is new this week with TBA lobbyist Brad Lampley with Adams and Reese. He is joined by TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. in a live recording from TBA's third annual "Day on the Hill" event. They discuss key highlights from the event and the impact of attorney advocacy on state legislation. Tune in to the podcast on the TBA website or through this link. See a photo from behind the scenes.

TBA’s 2025 Immigration Law Forum will take place April 18 in Nashville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT. This seminar is specifically designed both for experienced immigration lawyers and those who are newer to the practice area. The first half of the seminar is focused on updates, while the second half will focus on activism and support. The schedule is packed with speakers who are leaders in their fields, so make plans to join this informative program! For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan defended the right of people to criticize the court's decisions and whether the justices are doing their jobs while speaking last month at an event for Princeton University, Bloomberg Law reports. Kagan said the public is entitled to express views about whether the court is doing its job properly. "In the end, the results matter, people are absolutely entitled to make judgments about the court based on the results that the court is reaching and the reasons that the court is giving for those results," she said.

The 10th Judicial Drug Task Force, comprised of law enforcement agencies from across the 10th Judicial District, released its 2024 statistics. According to The Chattanoogan, the statistics indicate the deadly amount of drugs pouring into the communities, and the cooperative efforts of law enforcement agencies in the 10th Judicial District working together to get dangerous drugs out of communities. The task force, with 10 agents assigned across the district, reported 324 new cases, 176 felony arrests and 77 misdemeanor arrests. The task force also seized 156 firearms, $221,864 in currency and 15 vehicles, with one methamphetamine lab dismantled.

The Knoxville Bar Association’s (KBA) Spring Memorial Service will be held on May 2 at 3 p.m. EDT in the Tennessee Supreme Court courtroom, located at 505 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Knoxville 37902. The service will honor and celebrate the careers of KBA members who died in the past year. Due to the large number of losses this year, some recently passed members will be honored at a separate ceremony in November 2025. The service provides an opportunity to express gratitude for the contributions of these individuals to the legal community. For more information and to register, visit the KBA website.