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Court System - Historical Notes

Tennessee Code Annotated
Tennessee Attorney General Opinions

Board of Jury Commissioners - Jurors

The following acts once affected jurors or boards of jury commissioners in Lawrence County, but are no longer operative. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Private Acts of 1913, Chapter 95, created a three member Board of Jury Commissioners in Lawrence County, no more than two to be of the same political party, who must be a freeholder, must not be an attorney, Justice of the Peace, or Constable, and could not have a lawsuit pending in the Courts, who would be appointed by the Circuit Judge having jurisdiction, vacancies to be filled in the same manner. A temporary appointment could be made in the case of illness. All appointment would be made in writing for staggered initial terms and then for three years after that. No Commissioner could succeed himself until after six years had passed. The Commissioners were to be sworn by the oath in the Act, and the Circuit Court Clerk, who would act as the Clerk for the Board, must also be sworn according to the oath in the act relative to him. It was the duty of the Board to meet biennially on the first Monday in July, or upon the call of the Chairman within 30 days of that date, to select from the tax rolls, or other public sources, at least 300 names and no more than 600 names which would furnish the jurors both Grand and petit, for the next ensuing two years. If the list were depleted in the two years, a meeting would be called to supply the deficiency, or in the event a special panel had to be called. The names of the jurors would be entered alphabetically in a book to be supplied by the Clerk and their selection certified by all three members of the Board. Their names would also be entered on slips of paper and placed in a box which would be locked and sealed. From ten to fifteen days before the term, a child under ten years of age would draw out the number of names specified in an order from the Judge and report the same to him. These would constitute the jurors for that term of court. The Sheriff was required to summon the jurors at the proper time none of whom could be excused except by the Judge. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1951, Chapter 115.
  2. Private Acts of 1921, Chapter 902, amended Public Acts of 1919, Chapter 37, which required the Circuit Judges having criminal jurisdiction and the Criminal Court Judges to appoint Foremen of the Grand Juries, to fix their terms and compensation and to define their duties, so that Lawrence County would be removed from the application of this general law. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1923, Chapter 43, thus making the general law again applicable.
  3. Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 102, provided that, in Lawrence County all regular jurors, both grand and petit, would hereafter be paid at the rate of $3 per day, said sums to come from the county treasury. A pickup juror must serve at least two days before becoming eligible for payment.
  4. Private Acts of 1951, Chapter 115, expressly repealed Private Acts of 1913, Chapter 95, together with all the amendments thereto, and the counties affected by this law would hereafter come under the general law of the State with respect to the selection of jurors. All jurors, both Grand and petit, selected under the terms of any prior act would be promptly dismissed when jurors were chosen in compliance with this law.
  5. Private Acts of 1957, Chapter 5, provided for a daily compensation rate of $6 for each regular and special juror in Lawrence County and a mileage allowance of 10 cents per mile for every mile traveled between the juror's home and Lawrenceburg, except no mileage would be paid to a juror residing within a radius of five miles around the city. The Foreman of the Grand Jury and the Clerk would be paid $8 per day plus 10 cents mileage.

Chancery Court

The following acts form an outline of the development of equity jurisdiction in Lawrence County, although they no longer have the force of law since they have either been superseded by general law, repealed, or failed to receive local ratification. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Acts of 1822, Chapter 13, stated that the Justices of the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals would make arrangements to hold a Court of Equity at the present places of holding the Supreme Court; in Nashville, on the fourth Monday in January; and in Columbia, on the second Monday in January. Court terms would continue for two weeks unless the docket was heard sooner.
  2. Acts of 1824, Chapter 14, provided for the Justices of the Supreme Court to arrange between themselves to hold the Chancery Court twice each year at the places specified, which were Greeneville, Rogersville, Kingston, Carthage, McMinnville, Franklin, Columbia, Charlotte, and Jackson. The Court at Columbia would hear causes arising in the Counties of Maury, Bedford, Lincoln, Giles, Lawrence, Wayne, and Hardin where the regular terms would begin on the first Mondays in March and September.
  3. Acts of 1827, Chapter 79, divided Tennessee into two Chancery Divisions, the Eastern, which included the Courts meeting in the cities of Rogersville, Greeneville, Kingston, Carthage, and McMinnville, and the Western, which contained the courts at Franklin, Columbia, Charlotte, Jackson, and Paris. Two chancellors were to be appointed by the General Assembly and the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was removed.
  4. Acts of 1831, Chapter 57, Section 2, provided that an additional Chancery Court would be organized and held for the Western Division in the town of Pulaski where the causes would be heard from the counties of Giles, Lincoln, Lawrence, Wayne, and Hardin on the second Mondays in April and October which terms would continue until all the business of the Court was completed, or the Chancellor was compelled to adjourn the court.
  5. Acts of 1835-36, Chapter 4, subsequent to the adoption of the new State Constitution, divided Tennessee into three Chancery Divisions each of which would be presided over by a Chancellor who would hold office for eight years. Each court would have two terms each year. The grand divisions were further broken down into Districts. Lawrence County was in the 9th District of the Middle Division which included Giles County. Court for this District would meet at Pulaski on the first Mondays in March and September.
  6. Acts of 1839-40, Chapter 21, Section 11, created a separate Chancery District for Lawrence County in the Middle Division of the State whose Court would be held by a Chancellor at Lawrenceburg on the fourth Mondays in May and November of each year. The suits for Lawrence County pending in the court at Pulaski would be transferred to Lawrenceburg. Suits originating in Wayne County could be heard in Lawrenceburg.
  7. Acts of 1843-44, Chapter 230,  attached Lewis County to the Chancery District of Maury County but the citizens of Lewis County could file their bills either at Columbia in Maury County or at Lawrenceburg in Lawrence County.
  8. Acts of 1845-46, Chapter 82, Section 4, stated that the Chancery Court at Lawrenceburg would hereafter open for regular term on the second Mondays in June and December. This Act was repealed by Acts of 1847-48, Chapter 125.
  9. Acts of 1847-48, Chapter 4, Section 3, fixed the terms of the Chancery Court at Lawrenceburg to begin hereafter on the fourth Monday in May and November and all process would be made to conform to those dates.
  10. Acts of 1847-48, Chapter 125, Section 4, provided that the Chancery Court at Lawrenceburg would be held hereafter at those times established prior to the passage of Acts of 1845-46, Chapter 82.
  11. Acts of 1847-48, Chapter 181, Section 3, established a Chancery Court at Waynesboro in Wayne County where the court terms were to start on the third Mondays in June and December each year and the citizens of Lawrence County, Hardin County, and Lewis County had the option and privilege of filing their bills in Chancery at that court, or at the courts in Lawrenceburg and Savannah.
  12. Acts of 1849-50, Chapter 70, Section 3, stated that the Chancery Court at Waynesborough would hereafter be held on the first Mondays in February and August and at Lawrenceburg on the first Thursday, after the first Mondays in February and August.
  13. Acts of 1851-52, Chapter 178, Section 3, reset the Chancery Court terms for all the Chancery Courts in the Middle Division of Tennessee which then contained the counties of Wayne, Lawrence, Giles, Marshall, Hickman, Humphreys, Dickson, Robertson, Maury, Williamson, Stewart, Montgomery, and Davidson. The Chancery Court of Lawrence County would open the regular terms on the second Mondays in February and August.
  14. Acts of 1853-54, Chapter 54, established the Fifth and the Sixth Chancery Division in the State. The Sixth Chancery Division was composed of the Counties of Carroll, Benton, Humphreys, Dickson, Hickman, Perry, Decatur, Henderson, McNairy, Hardin, Wayne, and Lawrence.
  15. Acts of 1855-56, Chapter 112, Section 5, rescheduled court terms in the Sixth Chancery Division made up of the counties of Carroll, Henderson, McNairy, Hardin, Wayne, Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys, Benton, Decatur, Perry, and Lawrence whose court would meet at Lawrenceburg on the first Mondays in March and September.
  16. Acts of 1857-58, Chapter 88, divided Tennessee into the Eastern, Middle, Western, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Chancery Divisions. The Counties of Carroll, Henderson, McNairy, Hardin, Wayne, Lawrence, Hickman, Dickson, Humphreys, Benton, Decatur, and Perry constituted the Sixth Chancery Division. Court terms would begin in Lawrence County at Lawrenceburg on the first Mondays in March and September.
  17. Acts of 1865-66, Chapter 57, fixed the times for opening the Lawrence County Chancery Court on the third Mondays in April and October. All process would be made to conform to the changes expressed in this Act.
  18. Acts of 1866-67, Chapter 4, Section 4, in seeking to restore judicial order after the Civil War set the opening dates for the Chancery Courts in the Fifth Chancery Division (although we could find no act placing Lawrence County therein). The 5th Chancery Division listed the counties of Hickman, Dickson, Humphreys, Henderson, McNairy, Hardin, Wayne, Lawrence, Decatur, and Perry. The Court in Lawrence County would commence its terms on the first Mondays in May and November.
  19. Acts of 1867-68, Chapter 29,  declared that the Chancery Court for Lawrence County in the Fifth Chancery Division of the State would hereafter be held at Lawrenceburg on the first Mondays in February and August with all process conforming thereto.
  20. Acts of 1867-68, Chapter 45, Section 8, stated that the Lawrence County Chancery Court would begin its regular terms on the fourth Mondays in February and August.
  21. Acts of 1867-68, Chapter 64, amended the Act creating the Fourth Chancery Division to attach the counties of Hickman and Lawrence to that Division. Terms of court were scheduled for Lawrence County on the first Mondays in February and August. Other counties in the Fourth Division were Hickman, Giles, Maury, Williamson, and Marshall.
  22. Acts of 1869-70, Chapter 23, attached the counties of Lawrence and Hickman to the 5th Chancery Division whose courts would be held at Lawrenceburg and Centerville.
  23. Acts of 1870, Chapter 32, formed twelve Chancery Districts in the State assigning the counties of Benton, Hickman, Henderson, McNairy, Lawrence, Dickson, Humphreys, Decatur, Lewis, Perry, Hardin, and Wayne to the Ninth Chancery Division.
  24. Acts of 1870, Chapter 47, fixed the opening dates for the terms of the Chancery Court in every county in Tennessee. Lawrence County's Chancery Court would meet on the third Mondays in April and October.
  25. Acts of 1870-71, Chapter 10, rearranged the terms of court in the 9th Chancery Division. The Lawrence County Chancery Court would meet on the first Mondays in April and October, with a mandate for all process to conform to the change in dates.
  26. Acts of 1873, Chapter 5, rescheduled the court terms for the Chancery Courts in the 9th Chancery Division with Lawrence County's Court starting its terms on the first Mondays in May and November.
  27. Acts of 1879, Chapter 88, reset the terms of the Chancery Courts in the 9th Chancery Division composed of the counties of Lewis, Hickman, Perry, Decatur, Henderson, McNairy, Hardin, Wayne, Humphreys, Benton, Dickson, and Lawrence where the Chancery Court would convene on the second Mondays in May and November.
  28. Acts of 1881, Chapter 162, made some changes in the Ninth Chancery Division but none of them had any affect on Lawrence County.
  29. Acts of 1885 (Ex. Sess.), Chapter 20, was the next massive reorganization of the lower judicial system of the State. Tennessee was separated into eleven Chancery Divisions. The Seventh Chancery Division included the Counties of Maury, Giles, Lawrence, Lewis, Wayne, Hickman, Hardin, Perry, Decatur, Dickson and Benton. Lawrence County would continue to open the regular terms of the Chancery Court on the second Mondays in May and November. This Act and several others were considered by the Supreme Court in Flynn v. State, 203 Tenn. 337, 313 SW2d 248 (1958), although only the criminal court of Shelby County was involved. This Act was amended by Acts of 1887, Chapter 5.
  30. Acts of 1887, Chapter 5, changed the Chancery Court terms for the counties in the Seventh Chancery Division. Lawrence County would begin the regular terms on the second Monday in June and December.
  31. Acts of 1899, Chapter 427, in the next major revision of the lower court system fashioned ten Chancery Divisions in the State. The Fifth Chancery Division included the counties of Rutherford, Bedford, Marshal, Williamson, Lincoln, Lawrence, Maury, Giles, Lewis, and Wayne. Lawrence County's court would come together in regular session on the third Monday in April and October. This Act was amended by Acts of 1901, Chapter 494.
  32. Acts of 1901, Chapter 494, rescheduled the opening dates for Chancery Court terms in the Fifth Chancery Division. Lawrence County would begin the regular terms of court on the third Monday in May and November.
  33. Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 321, gave the Circuit Judge holding Circuit Court in Lawrence County all the powers and jurisdiction of a Chancellor concurrently with the regular Chancellor, and instructed him to hold an additional term of the Chancery Court in that county on the first Monday in January, the second Monday in April and the fourth Monday in September.

Chancery Court - Clerk and Master

The reference list below contains acts which once applied to the clerk and master in Lawrence County. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Private Acts of 1909, Chapter 226, provided that the Clerk and Master of Hancock County and of Lawrence County would receive as compensation the sum of $500 per year; provided, a sworn, itemized statement was filed with the County Judge, or Chairman, showing the amount of fees collected in the office. If the fees failed to equal the salary, the County would make up the difference, but, if the fees exceeded the salary, the Clerk and Master was allowed to retain them.
  2. Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 566, declared that the Clerk and Master of Lawrence County would be paid $1,500 per year, provided the Clerk would file on January 1 and on July 1 a sworn, itemized statement with the County Judge, or Chairman, reflecting the amount of fees collected in the office. If the fees were less than the salary, the county paid the difference. When computing the salary, the figure of $750 would be used as a base for each 6 month period. If the fees exceeded the salary, the Clerk and Master was to deliver them to the Trustee for deposit in the county treasury.
  3. Private Acts of 1925, Chapter 576, amended Private Acts of 1915, Chapter 566, to fix the annual salary of the Clerk and Master of Lawrence County at $2,000 annually. The Clerk must file with the County Judge, or Chairman, on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, a sworn, itemized statement containing the total amount of fees collected in the office during the preceding months. $300 per quarter would be the amount used as a base figure to decide the payment of any deficiency.
  4. Private Acts of 1927, Chapter 102, provided that in Lawrence County the Clerk and Master would be paid $2,400 each year if he would file with the County Judge, or Chairman, on January 1, May 1, and September 1, a sworn, itemized statement reflecting the total amount of fees collected in the office during that period of time. When fees were less than $800 per four month period the County would pay the difference to the Clerk and Master but if the fees were more, the surplus would be paid to the county treasury. The County must furnish all the stationery, stamps, and office supplies to the Clerk and Master free of charge.
  5. Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 702, fixed the compensation of the Clerk and Master of Lawrence County at $1,000 per year payable out of the general funds of the County on the warrant of the County Judge, or Chairman, at the rate of $250 per quarter. All of the above was conditioned upon the Clerk and Masters' reporting to the County Judge with a sworn, itemized statement of the fees, costs, and commissions collected by the office during the preceding quarter. The Clerk and Master could retain the next $1,000 collected in fees, costs, and commissions as additional salary, but, all over that amount was to be paid into the county treasury.
  6. Private Acts of 1935, Chapter 755, declared that the Clerk and Master of Lawrence County would be paid $2,400 annually as a salary provided the Clerk and Master filed a sworn, itemized report with the County Judge, or Chairman, each month showing the total sum of the fees, costs, and commissions collected in the office, except for those received for services as a Trustee, Receiver, or a Special Commissioner. If the fees and costs collected did not equal the salary, the county must pay the difference but if the fees exceeded the $200 per month salary the excess would be paid into the treasury. All the stationery, stamps, and office supplies would be furnished to the Clerk and Master by the county.
  7. Private Acts of 1947, Chapter 807, set the annual salary of the Clerk and Master of Lawrence County at $3,000, payable monthly out of the general funds of the county on the warrant of the County Judge, or Chairman. The Clerk and Master was instructed to file a report within the first five days of January, April, July, and October showing the fees, costs, and commissions collected in the office during the preceding quarter, excepting those received for the special services in the capacities of Trustee, Receiver or Special Commissioner. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1951, Chapter 124. The repeal of this Act would not restore, or revive, any preceding Act, it being the intention of the Legislature to abolish any and all Private Acts on this subject for Lawrence County.

     

Circuit Court

The following acts were once applicable to the circuit court of Lawrence County but now have no effect, having been repealed, superseded, or having failed to win local approval.

  1. Acts of 1817, Chapter 42, which created Lawrence County also provided for the Circuit Court of the new County to meet at the house of Dr. Joseph Farmer.
  2. Acts of 1817, Chapter 65, formed the 6th Judicial Circuit in Tennessee consisting of the counties of Lincoln, Giles, Maury, Bedford, and Lawrence. The Judge of the circuit would be elected by both Houses of the General Assembly and preside over the new Circuit after being sworn and commissioned as were the other Judges. The counties of Lawrence, Maury and Hickman would constitute the Ninth Solicitorial District.
  3. Acts of 1817, Chapter 138, scheduled the opening dates for the terms of the Lawrence County Circuit Court as well as the other courts in the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Circuits. Lawrence County's Circuit Court would begin its regular term on the fourth Monday in February and August. Judges of the Sixth Circuit were given the authority to interchange with other Circuit Judges.
  4. Acts of 1821, Chapter 37, provided that hereafter the Judges of the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals would hold two terms of court at the courthouse in Columbia in Maury County for the appeals arising out of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The terms would be held on the first Mondays in March and September.
  5. Acts of 1821, Chapter 52, repealed all the laws which required appeals from the Sixth Judicial Circuit to be filed at Nashville. They would in the future be filed at Columbia in Maury County. It was the responsibility of the Judge of the Sixth Circuit to appoint a Clerk for the said court.
  6. Acts of 1824, Chapter 14, increased the number of Judges of the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals to five, who would hereafter hold court at three places in the State only. Appeals from Lawrence County would be heard in Nashville on the first Monday in January.
  7. Acts of 1824, Chapter 61,  provided that the Courts were to be held in the new Courthouse at Lawrenceburg.
  8. Acts of 1825, Chapter 143, Section 2,  required the Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit hereafter at each and every term of the Circuit Court of Lawrence County to hold the said court for a period of two weeks if the business of the Court required it, unless it became necessary to adjourn sooner to another court in the Circuit.
  9. Acts of 1833, Chapter 14, stated that appeals arising in the counties of Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, Humphreys, Hickman, and Perry would be filed and heard in the Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals at Centerville in Hickman County.
  10. Acts of 1835-36, Chapter 5, enacted pursuant to the 1835 Constitution of the State, required that Circuit Courts be held three times each year instead of two. The State was divided into eleven Judicial Circuits of which the Eighth Judicial Circuit contained the counties of Lincoln, Giles, Maury, and Lawrence whose circuit court terms would start on the second Monday of March, July, and November.
  11. Acts of 1835-36, Chapter 35, Section 21, provided that the Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit would hold the first Circuit Court in the newly organized County of Marshall in Lawrence County, then the Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit would hold the Court in both Counties. Thereafter the two Circuit Judges would alternate, holding the court in Lawrence County.
  12. Acts of 1837-38, Chapter 3, Section 5, established the 14th Judicial Circuit consisting of the counties of Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, Perry, Carroll, and Benton. Circuit Court terms in Lawrence County would begin on the second Monday in March, July, and November.
  13. Acts of 1837-38, Chapter 116, Section 10, reset the terms of the Circuit Courts in the 14th Judicial Circuit. The court in Lawrence County would convene on the second Monday in March, July, and November.
  14. Acts of 1839-40, Chapter 140, rearranged the schedule of Circuit Court terms in Carroll, Benton, Perry, Hardin, Wayne, and Lawrence County which would be held on the second Monday in February, June, and October.
  15. Acts of 1849-50, Chapter 70, changed the terms of the circuit courts in the counties of Perry, Wayne, Decatur, McNairy, Hardin, and Lawrence where the court would open on the second Monday in February, June, and October.
  16. Acts of 1853-54, Chapter 125, Section 3, changed the Circuit Court terms in Wayne County and Lawrence County whose Circuit Court would convene on the first Monday in February, June, and October.
  17. Acts of 1857-58, Chapter 98, created sixteen Judicial Circuits in Tennessee. The 12th Judicial Circuit contained the counties of Wayne, Lawrence, Hickman, Perry, Decatur, Hardin, and McNairy. The circuit court of Lawrence County would continue to open on the first Monday in February, June, and October.
  18. Acts of 1865, Chapter 37, realigned the 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th Judicial Circuits. The 11th Judicial Circuit contained the counties of Lawrence, Giles, Maury, Lewis, and Marshall. The terms of court would begin in Lawrence County on the fourth Monday in February, June, and October.
  19. Acts of 1867-68, Chapter 64, Section 2, changed the opening dates of the Circuit Court terms in Lawrence County, Hickman County, and Lewis County. Court would meet in Lawrence County in regular session on the third Monday in February, June, and October.
  20. Acts of 1868-69, Chapter 15, Section 5, provided that the Circuit Court of Lawrence County would begin the regular terms on the first Monday in March, July, and November in Lawrenceburg.
  21. Acts of 1870, Chapter 31, reorganized the Circuit Court of Tennessee into fifteen judicial circuits. The Ninth Judicial Circuit included the counties of Williamson, Marshall, Maury, Giles, and Lawrence.
  22. Acts of 1870, Chapter 46, established the opening times for all the Circuit Courts of every Tennessee county according to the judicial circuits. Lawrence County's Circuit Court would start its regular terms on the third Monday in April, August, and December.
  23. Acts of 1879, Chapter 147, stated in the introduction that John V. Wright, of Maury County, had been duly commissioned as a Judge of the Judicial Circuit composed of the counties of Williamson, Maury, Giles, Marshall, and Lawrence, and was charged to hold those courts during the illness of the Honorable W. P. Martin, and that Wright had accepted and ably performed the duties of the position but had not been paid for his services. This Act directed the Comptroller to pay Wright $1400 for his services which amount was appropriated for that purpose.
  24. Acts of 1885 (Ex. Sess.), Chapter 20, in this major revision of the lower judicial system of Tennessee established fourteen judicial circuits in the State. The counties of Maury, Giles, Lawrence, Wayne, Hardin, Lewis, and Hickman were assigned to the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Court terms would start in Lawrence County on the third Monday in March, July, and November.
  25. Acts of 1887, Chapter 54, changed the opening dates for the Circuit Court terms in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Lawrence County's Circuit Court would meet in Lawrenceburg on the fourth Monday in March, July, and November.
  26. Acts of 1897, Chapter 322, rearranged the openings of the Circuit Courts in the Ninth Judicial Circuit changing Lawrence County to the first Monday in January and April, and the fourth Monday in September of each year. All bonds and process were directed to conform to the changes in terms.
  27. Acts of 1899, Chapter 409, Section 12, was an attempt to equitably distribute jurisdiction in the lower court system of the State. Section 12 reset the court terms in the 9th Judicial Circuit putting Lawrence County on the schedule for the third Monday in March, July, and November.
  28. Acts of 1899, Chapter 427, revised the entire lower court system in Tennessee. Fourteen Judicial Circuits were formed of which the Eleventh Judicial Circuit was made up of the Counties of Maury, Giles, Lawrence, Wayne, Lewis, Perry, and Hickman. Lawrence County's Court would open in Lawrenceburg on the fourth Monday in March, July, and November.
  29. Private Acts of 1901, Chapter 382, revised the Ninth Judicial Circuit to include the counties of Giles, Lewis, Maury, Hardin, Wayne, and Lawrence whose court would begin its regular terms on the first Monday in January, the second Monday in April, and the fourth Monday in September of each year.
  30. Private Acts of 1903, Chapter 18, scheduled new dates for the term openings for the Circuit Courts in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit consisting of the counties of Giles, Lewis, Maury, Hickman, Wayne, and Lawrence where the court terms would commence on the first Monday in January, the second Monday in April, and the fourth Monday in September.
  31. Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 321, granted to the Circuit Court Judge holding the Circuit Court in Lawrence County all the power and jurisdiction of a Chancellor and required the Circuit Judge to preside over an additional term of the Chancery Court of that county at the times specified under the law.

Circuit Court - Clerk

The following acts have no current effect, but once applied to the Lawrence County Circuit Court Clerk. They were repealed, superseded, or never received local approval.

  1. Acts of 1841-42, Chapter 34, Section 13, made it the duty of the Clerks of the Circuit Court in each of the counties South and West of the Congressional reservation line, to examine the books of their County Entry-taker annually, in the month of January, and then report to the State Comptroller certain items. The Clerk would be compensated two dollars per day for his services.
  2. Acts of 1843-44, Chapter 89, amended Acts of 1842, Chapter 34, to make it the duty of the Circuit Court Clerk in Lawrence County, Hickman County, Wayne County, Giles County, and Maury County, to examine the books of the Entry Takers of those respective counties on the first Monday in September annually and report the same to the State Comptroller by September 15 of the same year.
  3. Acts of 1903, Chapter 255, was a statewide salary act which involved only the Circuit Court Clerks of the State and which fixed their annual salary according to the population class of the county in which they worked. The salaries ranged from $500 to $5,000 annually. The Clerks must file a report annually, sworn to and itemized, which showed the total amount of fees collected in the office. If the fees were less than the salary, the county would pay the difference; if the fees exceeded the salary, the Clerk could retain the excess.
  4. Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 214, stated that in Lawrence County the Circuit Court Clerk would be paid $1,000 annually, provided the Clerk filed on January 1, May 1, and September 1, of each year a sworn, itemized statement with the County Judge, or Chairman, showing the amount of fees paid into the office within those specified times. When the fees failed to equal the salary, the County must pay the difference. In computing the above, the sum of $333.33 per four month period would be the norm upon which payment would be made. All the excess would be paid by the Clerk to the Trustee.
  5. Private Acts of 1919, Chapter 275, amended Private Acts of 1917, Chapter 214, by increasing the annual salary of the Circuit Court Clerk from $1,000 to $1,200 with appropriate alterations being made in the remainder of the act to effectuate the above increase.
  6. Private Acts of 1923, Chapter 236, provided that the Circuit Court Clerk of Lawrence County would be paid $1,600 per year instead of $1,200, if the Clerk would file a sworn, itemized statement with the County Judge, or Chairman, monthly, showing the amount of fees collected in the office. Any deficiency between the fees and the salary would be made up by the county but all fees in excess of the salary would be paid over to the Trustee by the Circuit Court Clerk.
  7. Private Acts of 1929, Chapter 96, stated that in Lawrence County the Circuit Court Clerk would be paid $2,400 annually, provided the Clerk filed on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, a sworn, itemized statement with the County Judge, or Chairman, showing the total amount of fees collected in the office during those preceding months except for special services rendered as a Receiver, Trustee, or Special Commissioner. If the total amount of the fees were less than the salary the County would supply the difference. If the fees exceeded the salary, the overage would be paid over to the Trustee for the County treasury. All the stationery, stamps, and office supplies would be furnished to the Clerk by the county.
  8. Private Acts of 1933, Chapter 699, declared that the annual compensation of the Circuit Court Clerk of Lawrence County would be $1,000, payable out of regular county funds on the warrant of the County Judge, or Chairman, at the rate of $250 per quarter. The Clerk must file a report within the first ten days of January, April, July, and October with the County Court Clerk, showing all the fees of every nature, all the costs, and all the commission received during the preceding quarter. The Clerk could have and retain the next $1,000 of the fees, costs, and commissions and all in excess of the second $1,000 would be paid over to the county treasury. Failure to comply herewith could result in a withholding of the Clerk's salary. All special fees would be listed separately.
  9. Private Acts of 1935, Chapter 751, fixed the annual salary of the Circuit Court Clerk of Lawrence County at $2,400, provided the Clerk filed each quarter with the County Judge, or Chairman, a sworn, itemized statement, showing the amount of fees paid into the office during the preceding months, except those fees received for being Trustee, Receiver, or Special Commissioner. In all cases where the fees did not equal the salary the difference would be paid to the Clerk on the warrant of the County Judge. In computing the sum to be paid the sum of $600 would be used for each quarter. If the fees exceeded the salary, the surplus would be paid to the County treasury. All stationery and office supplies would be furnished by the County to the Circuit Court Clerk.

     

District Attorney General - Assistants and Criminal Investigators

The following acts once affecting Lawrence County are no longer in effect but are listed here for historical purposes.

  1. Acts of 1817, Chapter 65, Section 3,  established ten Solicitorial Districts in the State of Tennessee. The Ninth District included the counties of Maury, Lawrence, and Hickman. An Attorney General would be appointed for each Solicitorial District who would prosecute and defend all the suits to which the State was a party at a salary of $125 per year, unless the district comprised the Supreme Court, then the pay would be $150 per year. County Courts had the option of appropriating up to $50 per year out of the county treasury for the Attorney General.
  2. Acts of 1835-36, Chapter 28, made each Solicitorial District in Tennessee coextensive with each Judicial Circuit. The General Assembly would elect one Attorney General for each district.
  3. Public Acts of 1935, Chapter 151, created the office of Assistant Attorney General in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
  4. Public Acts of 1967, Chapter 139, Public Acts of 1973, Chapter 56, and Public Acts of 1977, Chapter 368, created additional positions for assistant district attorneys general in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. T.C.A. 16-2-506 now provides that Lawrence County is a part of the Twenty-second Judicial District and provides the number of judges, assistant district attorneys general and investigators for the district.