Senate Bill 2146, known as the "Violent Criminal Court Act," aims to address the rising violent crime rates in the thirtieth judicial district of Tennessee by establishing two additional criminal courts specifically designated for violent crime cases. The bill highlights a significant increase in homicide and aggravated assault offenses in the district from 2018 to 2024, prompting the need for enhanced criminal justice resources. The new violent criminal courts are intended to improve case management efficiency, expedite criminal case processing, reduce the caseloads for prosecutors and public defenders, and ultimately increase public safety.

The bill outlines specific provisions for the establishment and operation of these courts. Effective September 1, 2026, the governor will appoint judges for the new courts, who will serve until September 1, 2028, when they will be elected by the public. Additionally, the presiding judge is tasked with addressing existing caseload backlogs by transferring certain criminal cases to the new courts. The district attorney general for the thirtieth judicial district will also receive additional resources, including four assistant district attorney positions and two criminal investigator positions, to support the increased demands of the violent criminal courts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-2-506(30), 16-2-506