Nashville Criminal Court Judge Angelita Dalton on Monday maintained her September order to restore the rights of four voters with prior felony convictions. Nashville Public Radio reports that attorneys for the state had appealed the ruling, citing a new rule that requires voters to restore their gun rights before their voting rights can be restored, which is often not possible with felony convictions. In her order, Dalton ruled that the state did not have standing to appeal the case, since Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk did not object to the original order.

Join your colleagues on Dec. 3 for the webcast "Making 'Difficult Communications' Less Difficult: Best Practices and Strategies for Success" from 3-4 p.m. CST. This presentation examines the five barriers to healthy communications and provides strategies for addressing each. It also identifies the most common communication mistakes employers make. Presenters will provide tips for individuals to become better communicators and explore de-escalation techniques. Learn more and register here.

There is still time to sign up for this week’s Topgolf Estate Planning Tee-off! Topics to be covered include trust modifications, during which presenters will explore nonjudicial settlement agreements and decanting, along with the benefits and pitfalls of each. Other topics include tax considerations for estate plans and the Corporate Transparency Act. This unique event provides attendees with planning essentials and a chance to earn CLE, as well as fine-tune their golf game. The tee-off is a great team building opportunity and offers practical information for those entering the practice or brushing up on basics. Learn more and register here.

The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 6 in Jackson in the case of State of Tennessee v. Pervis Tyrone Payne. The court will look at whether the trial court had jurisdiction to reconsider the consecutive alignment of sentences after a determination of intellectual disability. Payne was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder. He was sentenced to death for the murder charges and to 30 years in the assault case, to be run consecutively. In 2021, the General Assembly provided a process by which death row inmates may challenge the death penalty due to an intellectual disability. Payne filed under the new law and after evaluation was determined to meet the definition of intellectual disability. Payne’s attorneys and the state agreed that he should receive two life sentences but disagreed whether the sentences should be served consecutively or concurrently. The trial court found that the sentences should run concurrently. The appeals court affirmed. The state is appealing that decision. Arguments will begin at 1 p.m. CST and be livestreamed to the TNCourts YouTube page.

Kingsport trial lawyer Jack Muller Vaughn died Friday at age 80. Vaughn, a Kingsport native, served in the Army from 1965 to 1971, earning two Purple Hearts. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law and practiced law in Kingsport from 1976 until his retirement earlier this year. He was a partner at the firm of Fuller & Vaughn for the majority of his career. He also served as president of Kingsport Bar Association and was appointed by the state Supreme Court to the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection, where he served as chair for four years. Vaughn later moved to Waynesboro, Virginia. Visitation will be Nov. 7 at the Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes in Kingsport from 5-7 p.m. EST. A funeral will follow Nov. 8 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kingsport from 1-2:15 p.m. EST. Memorial donations may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1118 Preston Ave., Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Fatal drug overdoses in Nashville continue to decline in the third quarter of the year, mirroring a national trend that has seen death counts fall for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Nashville Banner. As of Sept. 30, there were 391 fatal overdoses in Nashville, a 26% drop compared to last year. The data also shows there were nearly 1,100 suspected overdose-related emergency room visits through the first three quarters of 2024 marking a 28% drop.

Knox County Criminal Court Judge Hector Sanchez is Tennessee’s first Hispanic trial court judge. Raised by a single mother, he overcame challenges to pursue his passion for law. Sanchez moved to Knoxville in 2003 and interned at the Knox County District Attorney’s office throughout law school. After serving in the Marine Corps and working as a prosecutor, Sanchez was appointed to the bench in 2022. According to a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Sanchez credits his military experience and upbringing for shaping his perspective as a judge, allowing him to empathize with defendants while maintaining a commitment to justice. Sanchez also presides over the Knox County Veterans Treatment Court.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, alongside a bipartisan coalition of 30 state attorneys general, today announced the completion of a $1.37 billion settlement agreement with Kroger, addressing the grocery chain’s role in the opioid crisis. Tennessee will receive up to $42.9 million for opioid abatement, with payments to begin early next year. According to a press release from Skrmetti's office, Tennessee has secured more than $1 billion in settlements from various parties involved in the crisis, with most funds directed to the state’s Opioid Abatement Fund. Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has ordered a change in the classification of personal contact information that attorneys provide to the Board of Professional Responsibility. Personal contact information now will be considered confidential and not public record. The change was requested by the board in June. After receiving comments from the Tennessee Bar Association, the Knoxville Bar Association and others that lawyers should be asked to provide alternative contact information that can be made public, the court allowed TBA and the board to develop new language, which it now has adopted. The alternative contact information must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2025. Read more in a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration will host Gov. Bill Lee’s public budget hearings for Fiscal Year 2026 on Nov. 5, 6, 12 and 13. The hearings will be live streamed. Check the department's website for the schedule of dates and times for individual state agency hearings.