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Follow news of indigent representation issues from TBA Today and the TBA Law Blog
Access the TBA's Indigent Representation Primer, a series of articles examining key elements of the current system
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Read more about the crisis in indigent representation in Tennessee in the May/June 2024 issue of the Tennessee Bar Journal |
2025 Resources
Indigent Representation Plan - Administrative Office of the Courts on behalf of the Tennessee Supreme Court
Indigent Representation Plan Key Points for Attorneys
TBA President Ed Lanquist’s interview of Joe Byrd and John Coke with the AOC
Tennessee Supreme Court press release about passage of funding for new plan, April 17, 2025
Press Releases, Statements & Letters 2023-2024
Supreme Court Releases Statement on Indigent Representation Funding Increase, May 2, 2024
TBA Issues Press Release on Legislative Approval for Increased Indigent Representation Funding, April 19, 2024
TBA's Government Affairs Team Explains Legislative Action on Indigent Representation Funding, April 19, 2024
TBA Sends Letter Supporting Funding Increase for Court-Appointed Attorneys, Jan. 26, 2024
General Sessions Judges Conference Requests Increase in Indigent Representation Funding, Jan. 19, 2024
Juvenile Judges Issue Statement on Indigent Representation, Dec. 7, 2023
Tennessee Supreme Court Issues Statement on Court-Appointed Attorneys, Oct. 3, 2023
Legislative Testimony 2024
Testimony of TBA Executive Director Sheree Wright and Williamson County attorney David R. Grimmett before the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee, March 26, 2024. (Beginning at 17:08)
Testimony of Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Director Michelle Long before the Tennessee House Finance Committee, February 7, 2024. (Beginning at 1:40. Indigent representation presentation at 1:49:23)
News Coverage 2023
"This is absolutely the worst its been: WSMV4 Investigates exposes court crisis leaving people in limbo for years," Jeremy Finley, WSMV4, Nov. 20, 2023.
"Tennessee must raise rates for court-appointed lawyers, state's chief justice says," Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, Oct. 4, 2023.
"TN Supreme Court push for more pay for court-appointed attorneys in an effort to keep the courts moving," NewsChannel5, Oct. 4, 2023.
"Why Tennessee's system appointing lawyers for poor defendants is at 'breaking point'," Melissa Brown, The Tennessean, Sept. 25, 2023.
Other Resources
TN Administrative Office of the Courts: Indigent Representation Program
TN Supreme Court Rule 13: Appointment, Qualifications, and Compensation of Counsel for Indigent Defendants
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