12th Judicial District Public Defender

01/26/2026

Rhea County General Sessions Court has also been canceled for January 27.

As of right now, Sequatchie County General Sessions Court is scheduled to proceed as normal on January 27.

If you are a client of the Public Defender’s Office and have questions about the scheduling of your case, please call us at 423-634-8646.

01/25/2026

The Governor has ordered all state offices closed Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27.

As a state office, the Public Defender’s Office will follow that directive.

Franklin County General Sessions Court has been canceled for Monday, January 26.

Rhea County General Sessions Court has been canceled for Tuesday, January 27.

As of right now, Sequatchie County General Sessions Court is still scheduled to take place Tuesday, January 27. Personnel from the Public Defender’s Office will be present if court proceeds that day. If it is canceled, we will do our best to help spread the word.

Stay warm, stay safe, and as always, feel free to call us at 423-634-8646 if you have questions about your case.

12/26/2025

09/17/2025

Our Constitution represents the very best of this country. It is the charter of our liberties, whose very existence allows people of all races, backgrounds, and creeds to live together peacefully.

As public defenders, it is our solemn privilege to defend that document and everything it stands for.

05/29/2025

In Padilla v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court set the standard that requires we take care to advise clients who are not U.S. citizens concerning any potential immigration consequences related to the criminal charges they face.

Today, Assistant Public Defender Chelsea Lyle presented on this topic to our office, training our staff on the immigration process and educating us as to what clients facing potential deportation can expect after their criminal cases are concluded.

Before joining the Public Defender's Office, Chelsea practiced immigration law, and she possesses a wealth of knowledge concerning noncitizens who face criminal charges. Her immigration expertise and Spanish fluency are invaluable assets, helping us to tackle whatever complexities a case may bring.

We hold trainings like this one every month. Continuing education is vital to delivering the highest level of representation possible. Defending Tennessee is our mission, and we strive to get better at it every single day.

05/26/2025

We are closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

As you spend time with friends and family today, pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide the lives we enjoy.

Ours is the greatest, freest country to ever exist, but our liberties come at a great cost.

Honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we can live in freedom.

05/15/2025

Did you know we defend kids, too?

On this date in 1967, the Supreme Court held that states could not prosecute children in juvenile courts without affording them the due process protections they would be entitled to as adults.

Before that, states could incarcerate people for years—even into adulthood—for crimes committed as children, and states could do it without affording them the right to a trial or even the right to an attorney.

Thankfully, that's no longer the case.

Today, we work hard to ensure that *all* Tennesseans' rights are protected when they are accused of violating the law, especially those Tennesseans who are too young to stand up for themselves.

03/18/2025

In June of 1961, a man named Clarence Earl Gideon was charged with burglarizing a pool hall in Panama City, Florida.

The only evidence against him was the testimony of a convicted felon named Henry Cook, who claimed to have seen Gideon leaving the pool hall carrying a bottle of wine, a Coke, and with pockets full of change.

Gideon was a poor drifter with an eighth-grade education. Unable to afford a lawyer, Gideon asked the judge in the case to appoint him one. The judge refused, saying Florida law did not allow for it.

The trial proceeded with Gideon representing himself. He was not permitted to ask any questions of the potential jurors. He gave an opening statement and questioned the witnesses as best he could. He asked Henry Cook if he was a convicted felon. Cook lied about his criminal record, and Gideon didn’t know how to challenge him on it.

At the end of the trial, Gideon gave a closing argument asserting his innocence. The jury convicted him. He appealed his sentence, eventually filing a handwritten request asking that the United States Supreme Court review his case.

The Supreme Court agreed and appointed future Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas to argue on Gideon’s behalf. Fortas made what is considered by many to be one of the most skilled, artful arguments in the history of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court reversed Gideon’s conviction, holding that the United States Constitution guarantees each of us the right to counsel in defense against the government.

Gideon was retried. This time, he had the assistance of a lawyer. His lawyer was able to identify and exclude potential jurors who would be biased against Gideon. His lawyer knew how to present a defense. His lawyer knew how to show that Cook had lied.

Gideon was acquitted.

The Supreme Court decided Gideon v. Wainwright 62 years ago today, guaranteeing every American the right to a vigorous defense in court.

The Supreme Court recognized that the Constitution is worth defending.

Your Public Defender’s Office works every day to do just that.

01/08/2025

As a result of the predicted inclement weather for Friday, January 10th, Judge Cochran has canceled his court proceedings. If you are scheduled to appear in court, please call our office at 775-7818 to schedule a new court date.

12/04/2024

Congratulations to Assistant Public Defender Kathleen Shell on her admission to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States today.

Kathleen is a valuable member of our team and a tireless advocate for our clients. We are lucky to have her on board.