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TCA 40-12-105

Notice of grand jury meeting to be posted by court clerk

MISDEMEANORMisdemeanor

What does this charge mean?

**Offense:** The court clerk must publish a newspaper notice at least 30 to 40 days before the grand jury meets, telling the public they can apply to testify about crimes, listing the foreman's name and contact information, announcing the grand jury meeting date and time, and warning that lying to the grand jury is perjury. **Penalty:** Misdemeanor if the clerk fails to do this.

Penalty Details

ClassificationMisdemeanor
Penalty SummaryMisdemeanor
(a) The clerk of the court having trial level criminal jurisdiction in each county of this state shall cause to be published, not less than thirty (30) days nor more than forty (40) days before the grand jury meets, the following notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county: “It is the duty of your grand jurors to investigate any public offense which they know or have reason to believe has been committed and which is triable or indictable in this county. Any person having knowledge or proof that an offense has been committed may apply to testify before the grand jury subject to the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, § ____________________. The foreman in this county is presently: [Here list foreman and the foreman’s address] “The grand jury will next meet on ____________________, the ______________ day of ____________________, 20____________________, at ______________. You may be prosecuted for perjury for any oral or written statement which you make under oath to the grand jury, when you know the statement to be false, and when the statement touches on a matter material to the point in question.” Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!(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.Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Testify: Answer questions in court.Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105(b) In addition to the other duties required by this section, the clerk shall post a written notice in the form set forth in subsection (a) in a place convenient to the public at the county courthouse. (c) Failure by the clerk to perform the duties required by this section is a misdemeanor and grounds for removal from office.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR
TCA Section40-12-105