Private Acts of 1982 Chapter 326

SECTION 1. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Court" means the Juvenile Court of Obion County.

(b) "Judge" means the Judge of the Juvenile Court of Obion County.

(c) "Clerk" means the Circuit Court Clerk or Deputy Clerks of Obion County.

SECTION 2. There is created in Obion County a Juvenile Court to be known and styled as the juvenile court of Obion County. Such court shall be a court of record and shall be presided over by a judge who shall have the qualifications and salary provided by this Act.

SECTION 3. A judge for such court shall, upon the approval of this Act, be appointed who shall be licensed to practice law in this state and who possesses all other qualifications of judges of inferior courts as provided by law. Such person shall serve as judge until September 1, 1982, and until his successor is elected and qualified. At the next regular election of county officials to be held in August, 1982, and every eight (8) years thereafter, a person licensed to practice law in this state who possesses all other qualifications of judges of inferior courts as required by law shall be elected for a term of eight (8) years. Both the appointed and elected judge shall take and subscribe to the same oath of office as that prescribed for Judges of Circuit Courts. In the event the office of judge shall become vacant by reason of death, resignation, retirement, or other reason before the expiration of the term of office or before a successor is elected and qualified, such vacancy shall be filled as provided by law. The Obion County Election Commission shall set a special qualifying deadline for the August, 1982 election if it becomes necessary.

SECTION 4. The Obion County Circuit Court Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Obion County Juvenile Court and any of such clerk's deputies shall also be deputies for the Juvenile Court created by this act.

SECTION 5. The Judge and Clerk of such Juvenile Court shall have all of the jurisdiction, powers, duties, and authority of other Juvenile Court Judges and Clerks as provided in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37 or any other general law.

SECTION 6. The salary of such judge shall be determined and set by the county legislative body and such body shall also determine whether the judge and other court personnel shall serve on a full-time or part-time basis. The county legislative body shall set such base salary prior to the initial appointment and prior to any election for such position.

SECTION 7. The Juvenile Court Judge shall be allowed to participate in the practice of law in all other courts within the court system and shall not be prohibited from performing any services in any of such courts when such judge is considered a part-time judge by the county legislative body.

SECTION 8. The judge is authorized to make and promulgate rules and regulations for the administration and efficient operation of the court and to fix the times and places at which all persons within the jurisdiction of the court shall have their causes set for disposition.

SECTION 9. The judge shall, pursuant to the laws and regulations of Obion County, appoint such personnel as may be necessary to efficiently carry on the business of the court. All such appointments shall be limited by the total appropriations made for such personnel during each fiscal year.

SECTION 10. The Sheriff of Obion County shall furnish the necessary deputies and special deputies to attend and dispense with the business of the court.

SECTION 11. The county legislative body shall provide the court with facilities adequate and sufficient to allow the court to perform its duties as a Juvenile Court.

SECTION 12. All unfinished and pending matters in the court or courts exercising Juvenile Court jurisdiction prior to the date this Act takes effect shall be transferred to the court created by this Act at the close of business on the day preceding the day this Act becomes effective. On such date all official books, records and other documents pertaining to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court shall be delivered to such court.

SECTION 13. If any question of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to that end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable.

SECTION 14. This Act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the county legislative body of Obion County. Its approval or nonapproval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the Obion County legislative body and certified by him to the Secretary of State.

SECTION 15. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this Act, it shall be effective upon becoming law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, it shall become effective upon being approved as provided in Section 14.

Passed: April 8, 1982.