Area Courts Inclement Weather Policies
Inclement weather can cause transportation problems or hazardous conditions that can vary widely in our region. Winter storms will have an impact on our day-to-day operations and court appearances. In addition to the information below, the inclement weather policies are also available on the Court Directory section of the KBA website. Download a copy of the Area Courts Inclement Weather Policies.
COURT INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICIES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT - EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
The United States District Court determines closings and delays on a case-by-case basis. All efforts will be made to contact attorneys with matters before the court that will be affected. Information will be posted on the court's website (www.tned.uscourts.gov) and on the court's answering machine.
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT - EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
Information concerning closings and delays will be recorded on the court’s answering machine and posted on the court’s web site.
TENNESSEE APPELLATE COURTS
Closing of the Supreme Court building in Knoxville due to inclement weather will be made by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Information concerning any closings will promptly be made available to the public and posted to the Court's website at www.tncourts.gov.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARD & TENNESSEE COURT OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
It shall be the policy of the state of Tennessee to make every effort to maintain normal working hours during periods of inclement weather in order to continue providing necessary services to the citizens of the State of Tennessee. Emergency conditions caused by extreme inclement weather may warrant the closing of some state offices. State office closures due to extreme inclement weather will be made on a county by county basis and will include all offices in each designated county. The decision to close state offices due to extreme inclement weather shall only be made by the Governor or his/her designee. In some extreme weather, a judge may not be able to safely travel to the court even if the state office is not closed. Notice of either situation will be timely given by placing an outgoing message on the main telephone number (865-594-5177) for the Knoxville Bureau Office and communicated by other means as appropriate. Any person who has a court date during inclement weather and is concerned for his or her safety will not be penalized if they are unable to make their court date and should contact the Knoxville Bureau Office at 865-594-5177.
KNOX COUNTY CHANCERY COURT
Please visit www.knoxcounty.org/chancery/weather for a full explanation of the Court’s inclement weather policy, including both Chancery and Probate Divisions. Announcements of closing and delay are made as soon as possible on the following media outlets: www.knoxcounty.org, www.wbir.com; WBIR-TV, WVLT-TV and WIVK-FM (radio). To re-schedule a hearing or appointment due to inclement weather, please contact the appropriate administrative assistant: Part I, Chancellor Weaver—call Pam Jennings (865) 215-2561; Part II, Chancellor Pridemore-call Jennifer White (865) 215-2560; Part III, Chancellor Moyers—call Lisa Sharp (865) 215-2448; and Probate Court- call Lisa Hopson (865) 215-3622.
KNOX COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
The Circuit Court will not begin a jury trial if the Knox County Schools are closed or delayed. For jury trials already in session, they will be decided by the Judge on a case by case basis. For Non-Jury Dockets or Motion Docket, the Courts will not be in session if the offices of the Knox County Mayor are closed and will be delayed if the offices of the Knox County Mayor are delayed. Any person who has a court date during inclement weather and is concerned for his or her safety, will not be penalized if they are unable to make an appearance, however, they should notify the Court’s Judicial Assistant of the concern as soon as possible by leaving a voice message or email.
** FOURTH CIRCUIT COURT
Fourth Circuit Court will follow the University of Tennessee for closings or delays. Counsel should be advised to make certain that Ms. King (Ph: (865) 215-2399) has their email and cell phone numbers in case there is any question about the weather.
** CHILD SUPPORT REFEREE (Magistrate Brenda Lindsay-McDaniel)
The Child Support Referee’s Court will be closed or delayed according to the announcement made by Knox County Schools.
KNOX COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT
If Knox County schools are closed, court will close the first day. Each day after will be decided by the judge. The court will open 1 hour late if Knox County schools open 1 or 2 hours late. The attorneys scheduled to appear on days for which inclement weather is anticipated should call (865) 215-2173. Cancellations will be announced on local radio and television stations.
KNOX COUNTY GENERAL SESSIONS COURT
The Knox County General Sessions Courts will operate on the Knox County schools inclement weather schedule for calendar year 2020‐2021. When Knox County schools are closed for road conditions due to snow and/or ice all General Sessions Courts will also be closed, this includes bonded arraignment/citation booking dockets. This policy does not apply to delayed school openings and is subject to revision by the Judges. Bonded arraignments/citation bookings will be reset one week. Civil suits, criminal and cited cases will be reset by the General Sessions Court Clerks' offices. The Clerks' Offices will maintain normal business hours.
KNOX COUNTY JUVENILE COURT & CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION
Juvenile Court will follow the Knox County School’s closure or delay for the first day of the weather event. After the first day it is a decision announced by the Juvenile Judge. The court will announce the closure/delay status on both WBIR and WATE television and the station’s webpage. An announcement of the court status on severe weather days will also be made on the court’s main telephone number (865) 215-6400. In the event that the court is closed all cases will be reset.
MUNICIPAL COURTS
KNOXVILLE MUNICIPAL COURT
The City of Knoxville Municipal Court will remain in operation on all regularly scheduled days. Inclement weather does not warrant the closing of City offices at any time, unless authorized by the Mayor. While City Court policy is to remain open, an occasional morning or evening court session may be cancelled due to inclement weather; Pandemic, or any other ruling made by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Any person who has a court date during inclement weather and is concerned for his or her safety, may reschedule. Municipal Court notifies KPD, Communications & Government Relations, the Web Master, "311", and local media to confirm that the office and court is open and in session, or to advise of a court session cancellation. All updated information will be listed on the City's website. Additional information can be obtained by calling 865-215-7469.
FARRAGUT MUNICIPAL COURT
The Farragut Municipal Court will remain open unless notified that the Town of Farragut will be closed or have a delayed opening due to inclement weather. Municipal closings, cancellations, and schedule changes will be posted to the Town of Farragut website at www.townoffarragut.org/court.
SURROUNDING COUNTIES
ANDERSON COUNTY
Anderson County closings will be announced on WYSH AM 1380 and WBIR TV. Court closings do not coincide with school closings.
BLOUNT COUNTY
The Blount County courts announce their inclement weather decisions independently, and those decisions are published to the three major television stations (WBIR, WATE, WVLT).
CAMPBELL COUNTY
The Campbell County Sessions, Circuit, Criminal and Chancery Court closures will be broadcast on local Radio WLAF AM 1450 and on Knoxville TV stations.
CLAIBORNE COUNTY
For inclement weather information watch News Channels 8 WVLT and 10 WBIR for courthouse closings.
GRAINGER COUNTY
Listen to WIVK 107.7 and/or WBIR Channel 10 for delays and closure announcements.
HAMBLEN COUNTY
Delays and closures are announced on local radio WCRK 1150 AM & WJDT and are sent via text alerts from the Citizen Tribune. Attorneys can sign up for Hamblen County Government text alerts at citizentribune.com. Docket date, announcements, and delays and closures are also posted on www.hamblencountychancery.org.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
If the courthouse is open and court personnel are at work, the Judge will hear any matters that can be heard, but will not default any party and/or attorney not able to get to court because of weather.
LOUDON COUNTY
Loudon County Courts will be closed or delayed according to the determination made by Loudon County Courts. A recorded message will be on the office phone system and announced on WBIR Channel 10. Please refer to each Court's office number (General Sessions 865-986-3505 and Circuit 865-458-2042) for updated information.
ROANE COUNTY
Closings and delays will be announced on WBIR Channel 10.
SEVIER COUNTY
The Sevier County Courts announce their inclement weather decisions independently, and those decisions are published to the three major television stations (WBIR, WATE, WVLT) and the local radio station 105.5. You may also check the Sevier County Government website for closings.
UNION COUNTY
The Union County Circuit, Criminal, General Sessions and Juvenile Court closings or delays will be announced on WBIR-TV and WATE-TV. The Court Clerk will also post closings on Facebook and notify the Union County Dispatch. Court closings do not coincide with school closings. The Union County Chancery Count will announce closings or delays due to inclement weather on WATE and WBIR.