Skip to content

TCA 40-4-121

Jurisdiction of general sessions courts in certain counties

FELONYFelony

What does this charge mean?

This statute applies only to certain Tennessee counties (those with 370,000-400,000 people) and gives general sessions courts the sole authority to handle all cases involving violations of Tennessee state law. It ensures all state law cases in these counties go to state courts rather than being split between different court levels.

Penalty Details

ClassificationFelony
Penalty SummaryFelony
(a) In all counties of this state having a population of not less than three hundred seventy thousand (370,000) nor more than four hundred thousand (400,000), according to the federal census of 2000 or any subsequent federal census, legal process in all cases wherein a violation of the laws of the state of Tennessee is charged shall be returnable to the general sessions courts of the various counties coming within §§ 40-4-121 – 40-4-124. 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.Preliminary hearing: A hearing where the judge decides whether there is enough evidence to make the defendant have a trial.(b) The judges of those courts shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction, pursuant to the Small Offense Law [repealed], to hear and make final determination of all cases. (c) Appeals to the rulings of the general sessions courts may be filed as is presently provided by law. (d) Any preliminary hearing in the general sessions courts shall be conducted in accordance with existing state law.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

FELONY
TCA Section40-4-121