Courts

Courts

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Multiple court systems serve the City of Johnson City hearing criminal and civil cases as well as code violations. In addition, the City of Johnson City also has a juvenile court that conducts proceedings involving children and families.

Municipal Court

Municipal Court, often referenced as “City Court,” hears cases involving violations of municipal ordinances. Most often, citizens appear in this court for speeding tickets and other traffic violations. However, this court also hears codes violations such as loose animals, high grass, and other violations of City ordinances that seek to ensure the public safety and welfare. The City’s governing body appoints both the municipal judge and the municipal court clerk.

The Honorable Stan Widener Presiding 
Connie Hill, Court Clerk  423-434-6160 
Court is in session:  Monday   8:00 a.m. 
Tuesday   6:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday of each month 
Wednesday  8:00 a.m. 

Specific court dates and times are printed on summons/citations at the time they are issued or served. 

General Sessions Court

General Sessions Court is a county court of limited jurisdiction, which hears both civil and criminal cases. Civil jurisdiction is restricted to specific monetary limits and types of actions. Criminal jurisdiction is limited to preliminary hearings in felony cases and misdemeanor trials in which a defendant waives the right to a grand jury investigation and trial by jury in Circuit or Criminal Court.

Adults arrested or issued misdemeanor summons for crimes committed within the city limits of Johnson City are generally processed through one of three county detention facilities and the corresponding Sessions court. Typical cases include driving on suspended license, DUI, theft, assault, etc.

First appearance court dates and times are assigned at the time of arrest or summons issuance. 

 Location of Crime Detention Facility Name Corresponding Court
Johnson City within
Washington County
Washington Co. Detention Center
114 W. Jackson Blvd.
P.O. Box 0097
Jonesborough, TN 37659-0097
423-753-1701

Washington Co. Sessions Court
George Jaynes Justic eCenter
108 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1210
Jonesborough, TN 37659
423-788-1425 (State)
423-788-1481 (Civil)
Johnson City within
Carter County
Carter Co. Sheriff's Department
900 E. Elk Ave.
Elizabethton, TN 37643
423-542-1845

Carter Conty session Cort
900 E. Elk Ave.
Elizabethton, TN 37643
423-542-1858
Johnson City within
Sullivan County 
Sullivan County Jail
140 Blountville, TN 37617
423-279-7509

Sullivan County Sessions Court
801 Anderson St.
Bristol, TN 37621
423-989-4354


Juvenile Court


The Johnson City Juvenile Court conducts judicial proceedings involving children and families who are referred to the court for reasons of abuse, dependency and neglect, delinquency, truancy and unruly behaviors, parentage, custody, visitation, and child support. This court also hears cases involving youth traffic citations.