Mission
General Sessions Court, Criminal Division is committed to be a fiscally responsible office. Our goal is to maintain accurate court records and serve the public by giving friendly, efficient service.
The General Sessions Court, Criminal Division of Knox County currently operates four courts. Cases are designated to either Sessions I (Misdemeanor), Sessions II (DUI), Session III (Felony), or Sessions IV (Citations/Environmental Ordinances). These courts operate Monday thru Friday and start at 9:00 a.m. In addition, arraignments are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. and judicial reviews are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Clerk is responsible for retaining, preserving and managing of all documentation regarding court processings. This Office handles approximately 75,000 citations, misdemeanor citations, misdemeanors and felonies annually. Upon warrants conclusion of these cases, the Clerk calculates court costs and begins the collection process, as required by statute.
It is with great personal and professional sadness that I take this oath of office. Martha Phillips was a mentor and a role model to myself and her staff and was dearly loved by us all. She ran the clerk's office professionally, efficiently, and without political influence. Martha treated everyone with respect regardless of their position or station. She earned and held the respect of judges, lawyers, her staff and the public. She was a public servant in the true sense of the word.
My promise to you is that I will strive to do the same - in the manner which we are accustomed - the way Martha would want us to run the office - to serve the court, carry out the orders, of the court, keep the court's records, and serve the public with impartiality, fairness and without political influence.
"Martha Phillips was a lady in every sense of the word. Her public service set a standard for others to follow. I will miss her warmth, friendship and dedication to our community. I extend my prayers and sympathies to members of her family."
