Director Of Juvenile Services / Lead Youth Services Officer:

Jennifer Shelton

Deputy Clerk:

Angela Mathis

Youth Services Officer:

Martha Newman

Juvenile Court has exclusive jurisdiction for cases involving Dependency, Neglect, or Abuse which usually involves the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services in some capacity. Private individuals may file an emergency petition for custody but are required to make a referral to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services at 1-877-237-0004.

Non married individuals who have a child together may file for custody and or visitation in the Juvenile Court. The Juvenile Court does not provide custody forms therefore an attorney may be contacted concerning those types of cases.

A person does not have to have an attorney to file a Custody or Visitation Petition with the Juvenile Court, but the Judge requires that the petitions or motions be written and styled accordingly. Child Support cases of non-married individuals or if the children have been placed into Department of Children’s Services custody are filed in Juvenile Court.

Delinquent, Unruly, and Juvenile traffic offenders are filed in Juvenile Court. If a child is charged with any of these types of cases the Juvenile Judge or Youth Services Officer will hear the case.

A person cannot speak directly to the Judge concerning the case before the Juvenile Court. The Juvenile Court Services staff may be able to answer general questions concerning your case. The Juvenile Court staff are not attorneys and therefore will not answer any legal questions.