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Send us Fan Mail Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Kyle Hixson grew up in East Tennessee working in his family’s grocery store. In this episode of Court Talk, the newest Justice on the state’s highest court reflects on his personal journey, his early career in sports broadcasting, and the moment that inspired him to pursue a path of public service

Send us Fan Mail The separation of powers is one of the defining principles of American government and a key safeguard of individual liberty. Born out of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the U.S. Constitution established three branches of government, each with distinct responsibilities and the power to check the others. In this episode, Dean William Koch of the Nashville School of Law and Judge Usman from the Tennessee Court of Appeals sit down for a thoughtful discussion exploring the founders' vision for the separation of powers, the meaning and purpose of checks and balances, and how the judicial branch has evolved over the past 250 years. Together, they examine why this constitutional framework remains essential to preserving the rule of law and maintaining the balance of power in a modern democracy.

Send us Fan Mail This episode continues our conversation from Part 1 with Judge John Campbell, Judge Tom Greenholtz, and Judge Steven Sword to discuss the legal standards and lasting impact of post-conviction proceedings in Tennessee.

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores what happens after a criminal conviction in Tennessee, focusing on post-conviction relief and its critical role in reviewing claims that may have been missed at trial. This discussion explains how cases reach the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, what it takes to prove issues like ineffective assistance of counsel, and how convictions can be challenged after the trial is over. Host Nick Morgan is joined by Judges John Campbell, Tom Greenholtz, and Steven Sword to discuss the legal standards and lasting impact of post-conviction proceedings in Tennessee.

Send us Fan Mail The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) serves as an intermediary between trial courts and the Tennessee Supreme Court. The CCA hears cases in Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville in panels of three judges from across the state, ensuring diverse perspectives in the judicial process.  This episode continues the conversation from Part 1 with Judge Robert Wedemeyer, Judge Ross Dyer, Judge Camille McMullen and Judge Jill Bartee Ayers.

Send us Fan Mail The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA) serves as a vital intermediary between trial courts and the Tennessee Supreme Court. The CCA hears cases in Jackson, Nashville, and Knoxville in panels of judges from across the state, ensuring diverse perspective in the judicial process. In this episode we explore the history and key milestones that have shaped the Tennessee CCA into what it is today through the voices of four of its twelve members: Judge Robert Wedemeyer, Judge Ross Dyer, Judge Camille McMullen and Judge Jill Bartee Ayers.

Send us Fan Mail Judge David Veile (21st District Circuit Court) brings a unique perspective to the bench as both a former police officer and criminal defense attorney. In this episode of TN Court Talk, Judge Veile takes us along for his career journey and why he thinks his experience in law enforcement helps him as a judge.

Send us Fan Mail A former prison annex on Roan Mountain in Carter County, Tennessee is now the home of unique drug court recovery program. Through the combined efforts of local and state officials, the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center is transforming lives in a region ravaged by opioid addiction. Judges Lisa Rice, Jim Goodwin, and Stacy Street tell us how the program started and the key to its success.

Send us Fan Mail The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has welcomed Jim Holcomb as its new Judicial Safety Program Manager.  In this role, Holcomb has begun leading a coordinated, proactive strategy to protect the people who serve Tennessee’s justice system. He is the primary safety liaison across state and local law enforcement, courts, and state agencies.  In this episode, Holcomb tells us about his years serving as a Senior Special Agent for the U.S. Secret Service and what he hopes to accomplish in this new position.

Send us Fan Mail We are looking at the latest threats, hacks and risks during Cybersecurity Awareness month. As technology is constantly changing so does our need to adapt in areas of cybersecurity. We are joined on this episode of TN Court Talk by the AOC’s Chief Technology Officer Brandon Bowers and Chris Gill, Security Administrator with the AOC.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, host Joette Giroux sits down with Judge Mike Spitzer of the 32nd Judicial District Circuit Court and Judge Woody Woodruff of the 21st Judicial District Circuit Court to explore the various forms of depression judges may face throughout their careers. They also discuss the resources available to support judges in managing their mental health and navigating the challenges of the profession.

Send us Fan Mail Tennessee is in the process of modernizing the technology used in the state’s court system. This may not seem like a big deal- we all go through technology upgrades from time to time. But it is nothing short of transformational in the state. Why? Because Tennessee’s court system is non-consolidated. That means we have a fragmented court system across the state. It makes case management, data collection and overall access to justice much more challenging.   Tennessee Senator John Stevens, a member of the judiciary committee, joins us for a look at what’s ahead and why it’s so important.

Send us Fan Mail As college football season kicks off, we welcome Judge Tim Irwin on the podcast. A former NFL offensive lineman with 14 seasons under his belt, Judge Irwin shares how his journey from the gridiron led to a second career in law, where he's now making a lasting impact on the lives of children in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. Before The Bench is a new series from Tennessee Court Talk, spotlighting judges from across the state as they share personal stories, professional challenges, and the defining moments that shaped their path to the bench.

Send us Fan Mail One hundred years ago, the small town of Dayton, Tennessee became the epicenter of the national debate over evolution and creationism. In the sweltering summer heat of 1925, the Scopes Monkey Trial became one of the most sensational cases of the twentieth century as famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow faced off against three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. Visit www.rheaheritage.com for more information about the 100th Year Scopes Trial Festival.

Send us Fan Mail Joe Byrd is joined in this episode of Appointed Counsel by Laura Hood, a long time team member of the AOC, starting with the Fiscal Services Division and now with Experts and Investigators. Their discussion in this episode is centered around how attorneys can get experts and investigators assigned to their cases.