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TCA 37-1-108

Commencement of proceedings

VIOLATIONViolation

What does this charge mean?

This statute explains the different ways a juvenile court case can be started: by transferring a case from another court, through traffic offense proceedings, by the court accepting jurisdiction over a child, by filing a petition, or by issuing a citation. All documents in the case must be titled "In the matter of [child's name], a child under eighteen (18) years of age."

Penalty Details

ClassificationViolation
Penalty SummaryViolation
[Effective Until 7/1/2024] A proceeding under this part may be commenced: (1) By transfer of a case from another court as provided in § 37-1-109; (A) A person under eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.(2) As provided in § 37-1-146 in a proceeding charging the violation of a traffic offense; (3) By the court accepting jurisdiction as provided in § 37-1-142 or accepting supervision of a child as provided in § 37-1-144; or (4) In other cases by the filing of a petition as provided in this part or by issuing a citation as authorized by law. The petition and all other documents in the proceeding, other than a citation, shall be entitled “In the matter of _____, a child under eighteen (18) years of age.”
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

VIOLATION
TCA Section37-1-108