Tennessee § 16-15-210 - Vacancy in office of judge — Filling.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-210 — Vacancy in office of judge — Filling., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-15-210. Vacancy in office of judge — Filling.
Except as provided in subsection (b), any vacancy in the office of judge of the court of general sessions shall be filled by the county legislative body as provided in § 5-1-104. In a multi-county court, the vacancy shall be filled by concurring resolutions of the legislative bodies of the affected counties. In the event of nonconcurrence, the vacancy shall be filled by resolution of the legislative body of the county of residence of the last judge of the multi-county court. In the event of an interim suspension of a general sessions court or juvenile court judge pursuant to § 17-5-306(f), the county legislative body shall appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the interim suspension is lifted or the office becomes vacant. In a multi-county court, the temporary replacement shall be appointed by concurring resolutions of the legislative bodies of the affected counties. In the event of nonconcurrence, the temporary replacement shall be appointed by resolution of the legislative body of the county of residence of the judge who has been suspended. Acts 1959, ch. 109, § 15; T.C.A., § 16-1115; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 7; 1998, ch. 669, § 1. Compiler's Notes. This section was declared invalid by the supreme court in State ex rel. Winstead v. Moody , 596 S.W.2d 811 (Tenn. 1980). See Notes to Decisions below. The section has since been amended to remove the unconstitutional provisions. Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 8 Tenn. Juris., Counties, § 13; 17 Tenn. Juris., Justices of Peace and General Sessions Courts, § 2. Law Reviews. The Tennessee Court System — General Sessions Court (Frederic S. Le Clercq), 8 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 375. Attorney General Opinions. Authority to appoint temporary replacement for suspended general sessions judge, OAG 06-044 (3/9/06). Cited: State ex rel. Witcher v. Bilbrey, 878 S.W.2d 567, 1994 Tenn. App. LEXIS 103 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1994); Jordan v. Knox County, 213 S.W.3d 751, 2007 Tenn. LEXIS 26 (Tenn. 2007).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 16-15-210
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-210 cover?
Section 16-15-210 ("Vacancy in office of judge — Filling.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 16-15-210?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-210" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 16-15-210 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.