TCA 40-14-207
Compensation – Necessary services for indigent defendants
FELONYFelony
What does this charge mean?
This statute says that court-appointed private attorneys (not public defenders) must be paid reasonable fees for their work before trial, during trial, and during appeals, and they can also be reimbursed for necessary expenses like investigation costs. In death penalty cases where the defendant is poor, the court can order that investigators and expert witnesses be provided if needed to give the defendant a fair defense.
Penalty Details
ClassificationFelony
Penalty SummaryFelony
(a) Other than public defenders and post-conviction defenders, attorneys appointed under this part shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for their services prior to trial, at trial, and during the appeal of the cause and shall be entitled to reimbursement for their reasonable and necessary expenses in accordance with the rules of the supreme court. 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.Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in a perceivable form. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105signed: includes a mark, the name being written near the mark and witnessed, or any other symbol or methodology executed or adopted by a party with intention to authenticate a writing or record, regardless of being witnessed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.(b) In capital cases where the defendant has been found to be indigent by the court of record having jurisdiction of the case, the court in an ex parte hearing may, in its discretion, determine that investigative or expert services or other similar services are necessary to ensure that the constitutional rights of the defendant are properly protected. If that determination is made, the court may grant prior authorization for these necessary services in a reasonable amount to be determined by the court. The authorization shall be evidenced by a signed order of the court. The order shall provide for the reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses by the administrative director of the courts as authorized by this part and rules promulgated thereunder by the supreme court.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Quick Facts
FELONY
TCA Section40-14-207