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PDF versionSECTION 1. As used in the Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Court" means the Juvenile Court of Weakley County.
(b) "Judge" means the Judge of the Juvenile Court of Weakley County.
(c) "Clerk" means the County Clerk of Weakley County.
SECTION 2. There is created in Weakley County a Juvenile Court to be known and styled as the Juvenile Court of Weakley County. Such Court shall be a Court of record and shall be presided over by a Judge who shall have the qualifications and salary provided by this Act.
SECTION 3. A Judge for such Court shall, upon the approval of this Act, be elected as provided herein and shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified. Such Judge shall be licensed to practice law and possess all qualifications as required by law. At the next Regular Election of county officials to be held in August, 1982, and every eight (8) years thereafter, a person possessing all qualifications as required by law shall be elected for a term of (8)years. The person elected Judge shall take and subscribe to the same oath of office as that prescribed for Judges of Circuit Courts. In the event the office of Judge shall become vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, or other reasons before the expiration of the term of office or before a successor is elected and qualified, such vacancy shall be filled as provided by law.
SECTION 4. The Weakley County Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Weakley County Juvenile Court and any of such Clerk's Deputies shall also be Deputies for the Juvenile Court created by this Act.
SECTION 5. Effective September 1, 1982, the Judge and Clerk of such Juvenile Court shall have all of the jurisdiction, powers, duties, and authority of other Juvenile Court Judges and Clerks as provided in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37 or any other general law.
SECTION 6. The salary of such Judge shall be determined and set by the county legislative body. Said Judge shall serve on a part-time basis. The county legislative body shall also determine whether other Court personnel shall serve on a full-time or part-time basis. The county legislative body shall set such judicial salary prior to any election for such position.
SECTION 7. The Juvenile Court Judge shall be allowed to participate in the practice of law in all other courts within the court system and shall not be prohibited from performing any services in any of such courts.
SECTION 8. The Judge is authorized to make a promulgate rules and regulations for the administration and efficient operation of the Court and to fix the times and places at which all persons within the jurisdiction of the Court shall have their causes set for disposition.
SECTION 9. The Judge shall, pursuant to the laws and regulations of Weakley County, appoint such personnel as may be necessary to efficiently carry on the business of the Court. All such appointments shall be limited by the total appropriations made for such personnel during each fiscal year.
SECTION 10. The Sheriff of Weakley County shall furnish the necessary deputies and special deputies to attend and dispense with the business of the Court.
SECTION 11. The county legislative body shall provide the Court with facilities adequate and sufficient to allow the Court to perform its duties.
SECTION 12. All unfinished and pending matters in the court or courts exercising Juvenile Court jurisdiction on the date this Act takes effect shall be transferred to the Court created by this Act at the close of business on the day preceding September 1, 1982. On such date all official books, records and other documents pertaining to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court shall be delivered to such Court.
SECTION 13. If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of the Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.
SECTION 14. This Act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of Weakley County. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the Weakley County legislative body and certified by him to the Secretary of State.
SECTION 15. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this Act, it shall be effective upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, it shall become effective upon being approved as provided in Section 14 of this Act.
Passed: March 4, 1982.