COURTS IN CANNON COUNTY
AND WOODBURY

The General Sessions Court has limited jurisdiction, handling civil suits under $10,000, misdemeanors, preliminary hearings on felonies, and juvenile and probate matters. There is no jury, and appeals go to the Circuit Court. The  General Sessions Judge is elected by Cannon County voters for an eight-year term. The County Clerk keeps records in estate matters; all other records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk.

The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction of civil and criminal matters. A jury is always available for this court, and appeals go to the state appellate courts. The four Circuit Judges are elected by Rutherford and Cannon County voters for eight-year terms. The Circuit Court Clerk, who keeps the records, is elected by Cannon County voters for a four-year term.

The Chancery Court handles civil cases only, and a jury may be called. Appeals go to the state appellate courts. The Chancellor is elected by Rutherford and Cannon County voters for an eight-year term. The Clerk and Master, who keeps records and performs other special functions for this court, is appointed by the chancellor for a six-year term.

The Woodbury City Court handles violations of city ordinances. There is no jury, and appeals are to the Circuit Court. The City Judge is appointed by the City Council.

The District Attorney General is elected by Rutherford and Cannon County voters for an eight-year term and appoints several assistants. the duty of these officers is to prosecute criminal offenders; one assistant runs an office set up solely to enforce payment of child support under federal and state law.

The District Public Defender is elected by Rutherford and Cannon County voters for an eight-year term and appoints several assistants. Persons charged with crimes who are found to be indigent are represented by these officers in the local court system and, if necessary, through the appellate courts.

COURT OFFICERS

Title Name Term Expires Salary*
General Sessions Judge Susan Melton 8 yrs. ???? $????
Circuit Judge I Joseph S. Daniel 8 yrs. 1998 $95,496
Circuit Judge II James K. Clayton 8 yrs. 1998 $95,496
Circuit Judge III Don Ash 4 yrs. 1998 $95,496
Circuit Judge IV  Royce Taylor 8 yrs. 2006 $95,496
Chancellor Robert E. Corlew III 8 yrs. 2006 $95,496
District Attorney General Bill Whitesell 8yrs. 2006 $87,612
District Public Defenders Gerald Melton
Circuit Court Clerk Hoppy Davenport 4 yrs. 2002 $34,700
Clerk and Master (Chancery) Harold Patrick 6 yrs. ???? $53,995
Woodbury City Judge (part time) Richard Northcutt  ???  ????  

*In addition to salary, each officer receives certain state or locally provided retirement and health insurance benefits.

 

Send e-mail to: JimGibbs@CannonCounty.net