District Attorney Said Victims Rights Important Awareness
District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said it is important for all of us to be aware of the right afforded crime victims in Tennessee. This is Victims’ Rights Week. Dunaway said the rights include the ability for victims to be informed of court proceedings and to consult directly with prosecutors regarding the management of their […]
Child Abuse Remains Constant Battle, 1K Cases Annually
April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a reminder that every adult in Tennessee is legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Upper Cumberland Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Tracy Plant Bucholz said the state mandate applies to all citizens regardless of their profession. The organization provides forensic interviews, medical […]
Recovery Courts Helping Felons With Addiction
The 13th Judicial District Recovery Court is continuing to grow in its efforts to rehabilitate felons struggling with addiction. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said the program allows non-violent convicted felons whose crimes were primarily driven by their addiction to go to a recovery court that is presided over by the district’s criminal court judges. […]
Dunaway’s Office Gets Renewed Grant Funding To Help With DUI Prosecution
The 13th Judicial District has received new grant funding to help prosecute DUI cases. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said the over $200,000 grant renews every three years. Dunaway said that the grant allows his office to pay for labor that would otherwise be unaffordable in efficiently prosecuting DUIs. “What that enables this office to do […]
Three Candidates Moving Forward In Criminal Court Judge Appointment Process
Three candidates will move forward in the appointment process for a vacant criminal court judge position in Tennessee’s 13th Judicial District. That after more than five hours of interviews conducted by the Tennessee Trial Court Vacancy Commission Tuesday at Stone Memorial High School. The Candidates include Attorney Shawn Fry, Attorney Brandon Griffin, and Public Defender […]
DA Dunaway Announces Re-election Campaign For 2022
District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway will seek re-election in 2022. Dunaway announced Monday that he will be on the republican ballot come May 2022. Dunaway shared the following the statement. “Seven years ago, YOU, the people of Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White Counties elected me to serve as your District Attorney General. […]
Senator Bailey Carrying Bill To Add Positions To Judicial Districts
State Senator Paul Bailey is proposing legislation that would provide additional support to Tennessee judicial districts. Bailey said this would create 12 additional assistant district attorney general positions, also creating more secretarial and victim-witness coordinator positions. Bailey said an overwhelming amount of cases has been a chronic problem for judicial districts. “There’s a big case […]
Trial Suspensions Create Back Log of 30 UC Homicide Cases
The 13th Judicial District has a back log of about 30 homicide cases awaiting trial with jury trials not reopening until February 26th. District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said trials being rescheduled can cause frustration for all parties involved. “The victims in the case are certainly frustrated and the victim’s families because of the delays,” Dunaway […]
Circuit Court Judge Reprimanded For Inappropriate Messages
A 13th Judicial District circuit court judge has been reprimanded after sending inappropriate social media messages to multiple women starting in 2015. An investigation by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct revealed Judge Jonathan Lee Young sent messages to a legal professional and a plaintiff that conducted business in his court. Majority of the communications […]
Comptrollers Office: UC Needs More Judges
The Upper Cumberland needs more judges. That’s according to a state comptroller’s report showing a growing deficit in the 13th Judicial District. The report showed the 13th district has a deficit of 1.3 full-time equivalent judges based on 2019 statistics. Chancellor Ronald Thurman serves the district as presiding judge. “Our numbers keep gradually going up, […]
