ÿWPC>! –ãðÆœ þjYU{˜±h ŸÀ>;æ¸.†«þqYÍD¼nd2É! YAG5î:º4©²÷Æå.E‰‡+Ð(U_)Ù)Lû&¶Ü »·»âv ŽèôÿqBH,4¸8ªø4.)¹Ð£TÖ~ºóç¤ÈC¥²æ¦H[s– T¾Ã2:^"`€sÏDb-úÁôl§Kû|ãiÑ|½Äœ8s˜¼¤ˆâZ‚°/äY˜r«‹‹ oB82×±~š­º9CA¶:N‚~ßÛE ¨Â»úuVÍjÝ9¦¾¿Q'ÀçÆ$Pp—‚:–±ãQ Òs|L–eÄÎc}Czéú/$k©?ö:Ö(Mñ„è΄RÏEDHÈÂCtç¡D[ØIÇ·àŒ#Gz™¯TŠM´q=-$é=MAëQü¾û7:¹„ê4þ ŸòjhB þ"jÁaF5ÍRXtdfåpÐ…(Ó½ô$-Á«ÁÏ5øNè)©ÒÈO”­›&{ÂÇìqpL…á¤ãÔÀ‰•ƒc*ñrï¦ñʈ0ö‹xþ¿Þ1…Z+$2ß{!qt±¤“’”µoÍJŸþx{3t—×bH¤' e~îâKmGº²a.ú¤õp”¾þ@b#É\ %% UN+ 0ˆy U N GO ^ – z¢ Ò w"î ø4 0DÆ`Æ&ÆìƲxNy{ãŠEm¹oò( mb333333333333333333333333333333333333 0ë;;;; B&& 0¤C D3ç D- 0KGG AS’Æå 0¤« 0DO A«“ ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular =Ý ƒR§2$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€At€the€time€of€this€incident,€Mr.€Allen€shared€a€cell€with€another€inmate,€Mr.€James€Slate.€€Prison€officialsÐ ° Ðalso€charged€Mr.€Slate€with€possession€of€a€deadly€weapon.€€IŠ71Ï  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptUUE îÝ ƒR§2$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Rule€10€of€the€Rules€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€of€Tennessee€provides:Ð ° ÐÓ °ÓÓ °ÓThis€Court,€with€the€concurrence€of€all€judges€participating€in€the€case,€may€affirm,Ð qÁ Ðreverse€or€modify€the€actions€of€the€trial€court€by€memorandum€opinion€when€aÐ 2‚ Ðformal€opinion€would€have€no€precedential€value.€€When€a€case€is€decided€byÐ óC Ðmemorandum€opinion€it€shall€be€designated€ð ðMEMORANDUM€OPINIONðð,€shallÐ ´ Ðnot€be€published,€and€shall€not€be€cited€or€relied€on€for€any€reason€in€any€unrelatedÐ uÅ Ðcase.6hö0ê:i¢×+00(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ÷Ý ƒR§2$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€record€is€devoid€of€documentation€showing€Mr.€Allen€exercised€his€right€to€administrative€appeal.€€TheÐ ° Ðrecord€only€contains€a€letter€addressed€to€Mr.€Allen€from€the€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô,€dated€July€23,€2003,€in€which€the€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€states€theyÐ qÁ Ðhad€yet€to€receive€an€appeal€as€of€that€date.€3|x ÙÝ ƒR§2$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€ð ðA€prisoner€disciplinary€proceeding€cannot€be€reviewed€directly€under€the€Uniform€Administrative€ProceduresÐ ° ÐAct€because€the€Act€removes€such€proceedings€from€the€definition€of€a€contested€case.ðð€€òòÔ_ÔRhodenÔ_Ôóó,€984€S.W.2d€at€956;Ð qÁ ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„5„106(b)€(2003). ¯Ý ƒR§2$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€Commissioner,€albeit€belatedly,€filed€a€response€to€Mr.€Allenððs€Petition€for€Default€Judgment€on€FebruaryÐ ° Ð5,€2004,€arguing€that€a€responsive€pleading€was€pending€and€that,€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€55.04,Ð qÁ Ðdefault€judgment€was€improper.€€ èÝ ƒR§2$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Although€the€record€contains€no€reference€to€the€administrative€proceedings€conducted€by€the€disciplinaryÐ ° Ðboard€on€June€6,€2003,€the€July€23,€2003,€letter€attached€to€Mr.€Allenððs€petition€as€an€exhibit€demonstrates€that€theÐ qÁ Ðdisciplinary€boardððs€decision€was€final€by€the€time€he€received€the€letter€at€the€latest.€€ ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2§2$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€‡ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô Tò»»Ô d(|3ÿ $££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€‡ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÿ $¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€‡ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€‡ù»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼‡ù»»»ÔÑ8€Õ¯XXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡îv^‡ùÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼‡ù»îîv^ #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓASSIGNED€ON€BRIEFS€MAY€25,€2004Ð öF ÐÔ‡XÕ¯X»¼‡ùÔÌò òÔ#†¼‡ù»XXÕ¯ú#ÔJOHN€E.€ALLENòòóó€v.€QUENTON€T.€WHITE,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡XÕ¯X»¼‡ùÔó óÐ ï? ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Lake€CountyÐ é 9 Ðà@@øøìàNo.€03„8491€€€€€€Lee€Moore,€Jr.,€JudgeÐ Ó # ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` AßÐ ‘á  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„00457„COA„R3„CVññ€„€ññññññÐ ŠÚ  ÐFiññññññFiled€September€23,€2004ññÐ ŠÚ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<]` AßÐ ^®  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X(®XXXÕ¯ÔThis€appeal€concerns€the€dismissal€of€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari€by€the€Circuit€Court€of€LakeÐ V¦  ÐCounty.€€Appellant,€an€inmate€in€the€custody€of€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction,€filed€a€òòproÐ ? Ðse€óóPetition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€to€challenge€the€results€of€a€prison€disciplinary€proceedingÐ (x Ðinstituted€against€him.€€The€trial€court€granted€Appelleeððs€motion€to€dismiss€the€petition€as€untimelyÐ a Ðfiled€in€violation€of€the€applicable€statute€of€limitations.€€For€the€reasons€stated€below,€we€affirm€theÐ úJ Ðdecision€of€the€trial€court.€€Ð ã3 ÐÔ#†XÕ¯XXX(®¢#ÔÔ#†¼‡ù»XXÕ¯u#ÔÔ‡XÕ¯X»¼‡ùÔÌÓ–ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ žî ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼‡ù»àXÕ¯Ÿ#ÔÔ‡XÕ¯X.¼‡ùÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.,óó€and€òòHollyÐ qÁ ÐM.€Kirby,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Zª ÐÌJohn€E.€Allen,€Tiptonville,€TN,€òòpro€seóóÐ ,| ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter,€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General,€Jennifer€L.Ð þN ÐBrenner,€Assistant€Attorney€General,€Nashville,€TN,€for€AppelleesÐ ç 7  ÐÓ=ÓÌò òó óÔ#†¼‡ù»XXÕ¯l#ÔÔ‡XÕ¯X»¼‡ùÔÌññÌññÌòòóóÔ#†¼‡ù»XXÕ¯ #ÔÔ‡XÕ¯X»¼‡ùÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X(®XXXÕ¯Ôà@ìì*ìàˆÌÌÌÌÌâ âÐ *V%*ý Ðà@êê!ìàMEMORANDUM€OPINIONó ó׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ò òˆÐ ° Ðâ âÌà@} } ìàI.€€Facts€and€Proceedings€in€the€Court€BelowˆÐ „Ô ÐÌà  àó óJohn€E.€Allen€(ð ðMr.€Allenðð€or€ð ðAppellantðð)€is€an€inmate€in€the€custody€of€the€TennesseeÐ X¨ ÐDepartment€of€Correction€(ð ðTDOCðð)€at€the€Northwest€Correctional€Complex€located€in€LakeÐ A ‘ ÐCounty,€Tennessee.€€On€May€27,€2003,€the€personnel€at€the€facility€conducted€a€routineÐ * z Ðadministrative€search€of€Mr.€Allenððs€cell€block.€€During€the€search,€a€prison€guard€alleged€that€heÐ  c Ðobserved€a€homemade€knife€come€from€underneath€Mr.€Allenððs€cell€door€onto€the€adjoiningÐ ü L Ðwalkway.׃××Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€This€led€to€disciplinary€charges€being€filed€against€Mr.€Allen€for€possession€of€a€deadlyÐ å 5  Ðweapon.€€The€prison€disciplinary€board€conducted€a€hearing€on€June€6,€2003,€resulting€in€Mr.€AllenÐ Î   Ðbeing€sentenced€to€disciplinary€segregation€for€a€period€of€ten€days.€€According€to€Mr.€Allen,€heÐ ·  Ðappealed€the€disciplinary€boardððs€determination€to€the€warden€of€the€facility,€Mr.€Tony€Parker,€andÐ  ð  Ðto€TDOC€Commissioner€Quenton€T.€White€(the€ð ðCommissionerðð),€both€of€whom€affirmed€theÐ ‰Ù  Ðdisciplinary€boardððs€findings.׃! ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€On€July€23,€2003,€Mr.€Allen€received€a€letter€from€the€TDOCÐ r  ÐAssistant€Commissioner€of€Operations€informing€him€that€his€sentence€would€not€be€extended€asÐ [«  Ðthe€result€of€the€disciplinary€conviction,€therefore€any€future€appeal€would€be€denied.€Ð D” Ѐ€Ð -} Ðà  àMr.€Allen€then€filed€a€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ f Ðsections€27„8„101€and€27„8„102€in€the€Circuit€Court€of€Lake€County€on€October€22,€2003.€€Mr.Ð ÿO ÐAllen€alleged€that€his€Due€Process€rights€had€been€violated,€and€that€the€disciplinary€board€failedÐ è8 Ðto€follow€TDOC€procedures€at€the€administrative€hearing.€€On€December€1,€2003,€theÐ Ñ! ÐCommissioner,€through€the€Office€of€the€Attorney€General,€filed€a€Motion€for€Extension€of€TimeÐ º  Ðwith€the€circuit€court€asking€for€additional€time€in€which€to€respond€to€Mr.€Allenððs€petition.€€TheÐ £ó Ðcircuit€court€granted€the€Commissionerððs€motion€on€December€4,€2003,€giving€the€CommissionerÐ ŒÜ Ðuntil€December€31,€2003,€to€file€a€response.€€On€the€same€day€that€the€circuit€court€granted€theÐ uÅ ÐCommissionerððs€Motion€for€Extension€of€Time,€the€Commissioner€filed€a€Motion€to€DismissÐ ^® Ðpursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€12.02(6),€alleging€that€Mr.€Allenððs€petition€wasÐ G— Ðbarred€by€the€statute€of€limitations.€€The€circuit€court€issued€an€order€on€December€11,€2003,€givingÐ 0€ ÐMr.€Allen€until€January€18,€2004,€to€respond€to€the€Commissionerððs€motion.€On€December€15,€2003,Ð i ÐMr.€Allen€filed€his€response€to€the€Commissionerððs€Motion€to€Dismiss€alleging€that,€pursuant€to€theÐ  R ÐTennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure,€his€action€was€deemed€filed€when€he€placed€it€in€the€hands€ofÐ ° Ðthe€prison€officials€and€that€he€had€one€year€in€which€to€file€his€petition.€€Ð ™é ÐÌà  àOn€January€29,€2004,€Mr.€Allen€filed€a€Petition€for€Default€Judgment€with€the€circuit€courtÐ k» Ðpursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€55,€alleging€the€Commissioner€failed€to€respond€toÐ T¤ Ðhis€Petition€for€a€Writ€of€Certiorari€by€the€date€set€forth€in€the€courtððs€order€issued€on€December€4,Ð =  Ð2003.€€On€February€2,€2004,€the€circuit€court€entered€an€order€granting€the€Commissionerððs€MotionÐ & v Ðto€Dismiss€and€denying€Mr.€Allenððs€Petition€for€Default€Judgment.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Allen€filed€his€notice€ofÐ  _ Ðappeal€to€this€Court€on€February,€12,€2004,€and€presents,€as€we€perceive€them,€the€following€issuesÐ ø H Ðfor€our€review:€Ð á 1  ÐÌà  àI.€€Whether€the€statute€of€limitations€must€be€waived€when€Appellant€alleges€absoluteÐ ³  Ðinnocence€of€the€charges€leading€to€the€disciplinary€proceedings€against€him;Ð œì  Ðà  àII.€€Whether€the€circuit€court€erred€by€granting€the€Commissionerððs€Motion€to€DismissÐ …Õ  Ðwithout€permitting€oral€argument;Ð n¾  Ðà  àIII.€€Whether€the€circuit€court€erred€by€failing€to€grant€Appellantððs€Motion€for€DefaultÐ W§  ÐJudgment€against€the€Commissioner;€and€Ð @ Ðà  àIV.€€Whether€the€circuit€court€held€Appellant,€as€a€òòpro€se€óóinmate,€to€a€stricter€standard€thanÐ )y Ða€licensed€lawyer.Ð b Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àÌÓ  Óò òII.€€Standard€of€ReviewÐ ä4 ÐÓ  Óó óÌÓ  Óà  àA€motion€to€dismiss€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€12.02(6)€ð ðadmits€theÐ · Ðtruth€of€all€relevant€and€material€averments€contained€in€the€complaint,€but€asserts€that€such€factsÐ  ð Ðdo€not€constitute€a€cause€of€action.ðð€€òòStein€v.€Davidson€Hotel€Co.óó,€945€S.W.2d€714,€716€(Tenn.Ð ‰Ù Ð1997).€€ð ðThe€failure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€can€be€granted€is€determined€by€anÐ r Ðexamination€of€the€complaint€alone.ðð€€òòGunter€v.€Lab.€Corp.€of€Am.óó,€121€S.W.3d€636,€639€(Tenn.Ð [« Ð2003).€€ð ðWhen€reviewing€a€dismissal€of€a€complaint€under€Rule€12.02(6),€this€Court€must€take€theÐ D” Ðfactual€allegations€contained€in€the€complaint€as€true€and€review€the€trial€courtððs€legal€conclusionsÐ -} Ðòòde€novo€óówithout€giving€any€presumption€of€correctness€to€those€conclusions.ðð€€òòWillis€v.€Tenn.€DepððtÐ f Ðof€Corr.óó,€113€S.W.3d€706,€710€(Tenn.€2003).€€ð ðBecause€a€motion€to€dismiss€a€complaint€under€ruleÐ ÿO Ð12.02(6)€challenges€only€the€legal€sufficiency€of€the€complaint,€courts€should€grant€a€motion€toÐ è 8 Ðdismiss€only€when€it€appears€that€the€plaintiff€can€prove€no€set€of€facts€in€support€of€the€claim€thatÐ Ñ!!  Ðwould€entitle€the€plaintiff€to€relief.ðð€€òòGore€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€of€Corr.óó,€132€S.W.3d€369,€373€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð º" ! ÐApp.€2003).€€ò òÐ £#ó" ÐÌÓ  ÓÌÌIII.€€Law€and€AnalysisÐ J'š"& ÐÐ 4(„#' Ðó óÓ  Ó€€€€€€€€€ð ðIn€Tennessee,€two€types€of€certiorari€exist.ððòò€€Fairhaven€Corp.€v.€Tenn.€Health€FacilitiesÐ ° ÐCommððnóó,€566€S.W.2d€885,€886€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1976).€€Mr.€Allen€presented€his€Petition€for€Writ€ofÐ ™é ÐCertiorari€to€the€circuit€court€below€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€27„8„101,Ð ‚Ò Ðgoverning€common€law€writs,€or€in€the€alternative,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€27„8„102,Ð k» Ðgoverning€statutory€writs.€€ð ðThe€common„law€writ€of€certiorari€serves€as€the€proper€proceduralÐ T¤ Ðvehicle€through€which€prisoners€may€seek€review€of€decisions€by€prison€disciplinary€boards,€paroleÐ =  Ðeligibility€boards,€and€other€similar€administrative€tribunals.ðð€€òòWillisóó,€113€S.W.3d€at€712€(citingÐ & v ÐòòRhoden€v.€State€Depððt€of€Corr.óó,€984€S.W.2d€955,€956€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998)).׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Therefore,€we€reviewÐ  _ ÐMr.€Allenððs€appeal€under€the€legal€principles€governing€a€common€law€writ€of€certiorari.Ð ø H ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€is€limited€in€its€review€of€a€common€law€petition€for€a€writ€of€certiorari€in€theÐ Ê   Ðfollowing€manner:Ð ³  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓOnce€the€petition€is€filed,€the€court€examines€the€proceedings€of€theÐ …Õ  Ðlower€tribunal€to€determine€if€that€body€exceeded€its€jurisdiction,€orÐ n¾  Ðacted€illegally,€fraudulently,€or€arbitrarily.€€òòTurner€v.€TennesseeÐ W§  ÐBoard€of€Parolesóó,€993€S.W.2d€78€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòYokley€v.Ð @ ÐStateóó,€632€S.W.2d€123€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981).€€A€challenge€to€theÐ )y Ðintrinsic€correctness€of€the€inferior€tribunalððs€decision€is€normallyÐ b Ðdismissed€as€being€outside€the€purview€of€the€reviewing€court.€€òòHallÐ ûK Ðv.€McLeskyóó,€83€S.W.3d€752€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001);€òòPowell€v.€ParoleÐ ä4 ÐEligibility€Review€Boardóó,€879€S.W.2d€871€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).Ð Í ÐÌÓ °ê+ÓÓ °Ü+ÓòòWaters€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€of€Corr.,óó€No.€M2002„00917„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€512,€atÐ Ÿï Ð*8ð!ð9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€24,€2003).€€ð ðThe€issuance€by€the€trial€court€of€a€writ€of€certiorari€is€notÐ ˆØ Ðan€adjudication€of€anything.€.€.€.€[,€but€rather,]€is€simply€a€command€by€the€trial€court€to€the€inferiorÐ qÁ Ðtribunal€or€administrative€agency€to€send€the€record€made€before€the€agency€in€the€proceeding€to€theÐ Zª Ðcourt€for€review€of€that€record.ðð€€òòGoreóó,€132€S.W.3d€at€375.€€The€circuit€courts€of€this€state€haveÐ C“ Ðconcurrent€jurisdiction€over€common€law€petitions€for€writs€of€certiorari.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„9„Ð ,| Ð103€(2003);€òòHawkins€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€of€Corr.óó,€127€S.W.3d€749,€756€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2002).€Ð e ÐÌò òÓ  ÓòòA.€€Statute€of€Limitations€Applicable€to€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorarióóó óÐ ç 7 ÐÌÓ  Óà  àIn€his€first€issue,€Mr.€Allen€contests€the€circuit€courtððs€order€granting€the€CommissionerððsÐ ¸"! ÐMotion€to€Dismiss.€€Mr.€Allen€argues€that€any€statute€of€limitations€applicable€to€a€common€law€writÐ ¡#ñ" Ðof€certiorari€must€be€waived€when€absolute€innocence€of€a€disciplinary€infraction€is€alleged.€€Further,Ð Š$Ú# Ðhe€asserts€that€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€set€forth€a€one„year€statute€of€limitationsÐ s%à $ Ðapplicable€to€his€petition.€Ð \&¬!% Ðâ âÐ E'•"& Ðà  àð ðThe€legislature€has€the€authority€to€place€reasonable€statutory€limitations€on€the€time€withinÐ ° Ðâ âwhich€certiorari€may€issue.ðð€€òòFairhaven€Corpóó.,€566€S.W.2d€at€886.€€The€legislature€has€€providedÐ ™é Ðthat€petitions€for€writs€of€certiorari€are€subject€to€the€following€limitations€period:€€Ð ‚Ò ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓSuch€party€shall,€within€sixty€(60)€days€from€the€entry€of€the€order€orÐ T¤ Ðjudgment,€file€a€petition€of€certiorari€in€the€chancery€court€of€anyÐ =  Ðcounty€in€which€any€one€(1)€or€more€of€the€petitioners,€or€any€one€(1)Ð & v Ðor€more€of€the€material€defendants€reside,€or€have€their€principalÐ  _ Ðoffice,€stating€briefly€the€issues€involved€in€the€cause,€the€substanceÐ ø H Ðof€the€order€or€judgment€complained€of,€of€the€respects€in€which€theÐ á 1  Ðpetitioner€claims€the€order€or€judgment€is€erroneous,€and€praying€forÐ Ê   Ðan€accordant€review.€€Ð ³  ÐÓ °ô6ÓÌÓ °æ6ÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„9„102€(2003).€€ð ðThis€time€limit€applies€to€common€law€as€well€as€statutoryÐ …Õ  Ðwrits.ðð€€òòFairhavenóó€òòCorpóó.,€566€S.W.2d€at€886.€€The€time€limit€set€forth€in€the€statute€is€both€Ð n¾  Ðmandatory€and€jurisdictional.€€òòTurner€v.€Tenn.€Bd.€of€Parolesóó,€993€S.W.2d€78,€80€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð W§  Ð1999).€€Failure€to€file€a€petition€for€writ€of€certiorari€within€the€time€limitation€set€forth€in€the€statuteÐ @ Ðresults€in€the€disciplinary€boardððs€decision€becoming€final,€and€will€deprive€the€circuit€court€ofÐ )y Ðjurisdiction.€€òòIdóó.;€òòBishop€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€of€Corr.óó,€896€S.W.2d€557,€558€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994);Ð b ÐòòThandiwe€v.€Traughberóó,€909€S.W.2d€802,€804€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994);€òòWheeler€v.€City€of€Memphisóó,Ð ûK Ð685€S.W.2d€4,€6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€€Ð ä4 ÐÌà  àIn€responding€to€the€Commissionerððs€Motion€to€Dismiss€below,€Mr.€Allen€stated€in€his€replyÐ ¶ Ðthat€his€petition€was€deemed€filed€when€he€delivered€it€into€the€hands€of€the€prison€officials.€Ð Ÿï ÐAlthough€he€cites€to€no€authority€for€this€proposition€in€his€brief,€Mr.€Allen€is€apparently€relying€onÐ ˆØ ÐTennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€5.06,€which€provides,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:€€Ð qÁ ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓIf€papers€required€or€permitted€to€be€filed€pursuant€to€the€rules€ofÐ C“ Ðcivil€procedure€are€prepared€by€or€on€behalf€of€a€òòpro€se€óólitigantÐ ,| Ðincarcerated€in€a€correctional€facility€and€are€not€received€by€theÐ e Ðclerk€of€the€court€until€after€the€time€fixed€for€filing,€filing€shall€beÐ þN Ðtimely€if€the€papers€were€delivered€to€the€appropriate€individual€at€theÐ ç 7 Ðcorrectional€facility€òòwithin€the€time€fixed€for€filingóó.€€This€provisionÐ Ð!   Ðshall€also€apply€to€service€of€paper€by€such€litigants€pursuant€to€theÐ ¹" ! Ðrules€of€civil€procedure.€€ð ðCorrectional€facilityðð€shall€include€aÐ ¢#ò" Ðprison,€jail,€county€workhouse€or€similar€institution€in€which€the€òòproÐ ‹$Û# Ðse€óólitigant€is€incarcerated.€€òòShould€timeliness€of€filing€or€serviceÐ t%Ä $ Ðbecome€an€issue,€the€burden€is€on€the€óópro€se€òòlitigant€to€establishÐ ]&­!% Ðcompliance€with€this€provisionóó.€€Ð F'–"& ÐÓ °c?ÓÓ °U?ÓÌTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€5.06€(2003)€(emphasis€added).€€Mr.€Allen€failed€to€carry€this€burden.€€We€findÐ )h$( Ðnothing€in€the€record€indicating€the€date€on€which€he€presented€his€petition€to€prison€officials.€€EvenÐ *Q%) Ðin€the€absence€of€such€proof,€however,€the€record€sufficiently€demonstrates€that€Mr.€Allen€failed€toÐ ê*:&* Ðcomply€with€Rule€5.06.€€Mr.€Allenððs€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€indicates€that€he€signed€theÐ Ó+#'+ Ðpetition€on€October€15,€2003,€and€that€it€was€filed€with€the€circuit€court€on€October€22,€2003.€Ð ° ÐGiving€Mr.€Allen€the€benefit€of€the€latest€possible€date€on€which€the€statutory€period€could€possiblyÐ ™é Ðbegin€to€run,€July€23,€2003,€the€petition€itself€indicates€that€it€was€filed€well€beyond€the€sixty€dayÐ ‚Ò Ðperiod.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€òòSee€Johnson€v.€Corr.€Corp.€of€Am.óó,€No.€W2001„00763„COA„R3„CV,€2001€Tenn.€App.Ð k» ÐLEXIS€952,€at€*9ð!ð13€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€11,€2001).€€Since€Mr.€Allen€filed€his€Petition€for€WritÐ T¤ Ðof€Certiorari€beyond€the€sixty€day€period€set€forth€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€27„9„102,Ð =  Ðthe€circuit€court€was€without€jurisdiction€to€entertain€the€petition.€€òòSee€Hughes€v.€Tenn.€Bd.€ofÐ & v ÐParolesóó,€No.€M2003„00266„COA„R3„CV,€2004€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€78,€at€*4€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2004).€Ð  _ ÐÌà  àAlthough€we€find€the€fact€that€Mr.€Allen€filed€his€petition€well€beyond€the€period€permittedÐ á 1  Ðby€section€27„9„102€of€the€Tennessee€Code€to€be€dispositive€of€this€appeal,€we€will€address€theÐ Ê   Ðremaining€issues€presented€out€of€consideration€to€Mr.€Allen€as€a€òòpro€se€óóappellant.òò€€See€Young€v.Ð ³  ÐBarrowóó,€130€S.W.3d€59,€62ð!ð63€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2003);€òòHessmer€v.€Hessmeróó,€No.€M2002„01024„Ð œì  ÐCOA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€346,€at€*5ð!ð6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€12,€2003);€òòIrvin€v.€CityÐ …Õ  Ðof€Clarksvilleóó,€767€S.W.2d€649,€651ð!ð52€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€Ð n¾  ÐÌÓ  Óò òòòB.€€Lack€of€a€Hearing€Belowóóó óÐ @ ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€second€issue€presented€for€review€by€Mr.€Allen€concerns€the€circuit€courtððs€decision€toÐ a Ðgrant€the€Commissionerððs€Motion€to€Dismiss€without€permitting€oral€argument.€€On€October€22,Ð úJ Ð2003,€Mr.€Allen€filed€a€motion€with€the€circuit€court,€asking€the€court€to€conduct€a€hearing€on€hisÐ ã3 Ðpetition.€€In€the€order€dismissing€Mr.€Allenððs€petition,€the€circuit€court€stated€that€oral€argument€wasÐ Ì Ðnot€necessary€in€this€matter.€€Mr.€Allen€argues€on€appeal€that€this€prevented€him€from€introducingÐ µ Ðtestimony€from€another€correctional€officer€at€the€prison€who€could€establish€his€innocence.€€Ð žî ЀÌà  àThe€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€contain€no€requirement€that€a€trial€court€permit€oralÐ pÀ Ðargument€on€a€motion€to€dismiss€prior€to€issuing€its€ruling.€€òòSee€Jerkins€v.€McKinneyóó,€533€S.W.2dÐ Y© Ð275,€279€(Tenn.€1976).€€ð ðOral€argument€is€especially€unnecessary€when€only€questions€of€law€areÐ B’ Ðconcerned.ðð€€òòIdóó.€(citing€òòButterman€v.€Walston€&€Co.óó,€50€F.R.D.€189,€190€(E.D.€Wis.€1970));€òòsee€alsoÐ +{ ÐMillsaps€v.€Millsapsóó,€1989€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€317,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€3,€1989).€Ð d ÐÌà  àMr.€Allenððs€attempt€to€introduce€new€evidence€amounts€to€ð ðnothing€more€than€an€attack€onÐ æ 6 Ðthe€intrinsic€correctness€of€the€boardððs€decision€and€an€effort€to€have€the€courts€reweigh€the€evidenceÐ Ï!  Ðpresented€to€the€board.ððòò€€Lewis€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€Corr.óó,€No.€M2002„00608„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.Ð ¸"! ÐApp.€LEXIS€358,€at€*9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€20,€2003).€€ð ðA€challenge€to€the€intrinsic€correctnessÐ ¡#ñ" Ðof€the€inferior€tribunalððs€decision€is€normally€dismissed€as€being€outside€the€purview€of€theÐ Š$Ú# Ðreviewing€court.ðð€€òòWatersóó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€512,€at€*8ð!ð9.€€The€scope€of€review€that€a€trialÐ s%à $ Ðcourt€entertaining€a€common€law€petition€for€writ€of€certiorari€may€engage€in€is€limited:Ð \&¬!% Ðâ âÐ E'•"& ÐÓ °ÓÓ °ÓCourts€may€not€(1)€inquire€into€the€intrinsic€correctness€of€the€lowerÐ ° Ðâ âtribunalððs€decision,€(2)€reweigh€the€evidence,€or€(3)€substitute€theirÐ ™é Ðjudgment€for€that€of€the€lower€tribunal.€€Rather,€the€writ€permits€theÐ ‚Ò Ðcourts€to€examine€the€lower€tribunalððs€decision€to€determine€whetherÐ k» Ðthe€tribunal€exceeded€its€jurisdiction€or€acted€illegally,€fraudulently,Ð T¤ Ðor€arbitrarily.€€Ð =  ÐÓ °„UÓÓ °vUÓÌòòLewisóó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€358,€at€*8ð!ð9.€€€€By€simply€examining€the€four€corners€of€Mr.€AllenððsÐ  _ Ðpetition,€the€circuit€court€properly€applied€section€27„9„102€of€the€Tennessee€Code€and€found€thatÐ ø H Ðthe€petition€was€time€barred.€€Accordingly,€this€issue€raised€by€Mr.€Allen€is€without€merit.€€€Ð á 1  ÐÌò òÓ  ÓòòC.€€Denial€of€Appellantððs€Motion€for€Default€Judgmentóóó óÐ ³  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àMr.€Allen€argues€on€appeal€that,€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€55,€theÐ „Ô  Ðcircuit€court€erred€by€failing€to€grant€his€Petition€for€Default€Judgment.€€(Appellantððs€Br.€at€7).€€InÐ m½  Ðsupport€of€this€argument,€Mr.€Allen€points€to€the€fact€that€the€Commissioner€failed€to€file€a€responseÐ V¦  Ðto€his€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€by€the€time€set€forth€in€the€courtððs€order€issued€on€DecemberÐ ? Ð4,€2003.€Ð (x ÐÌà  àRule€55€permits€the€trial€court€to€enter€judgment€by€default€against€a€party€when€the€partyÐ úJ Ðð ðhas€failed€to€plead€or€otherwise€defend€as€provided€by€these€rules.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€55.01€(2003).€Ð ã3 ÐOn€the€same€day€the€circuit€court€entered€the€order€granting€the€Commissioner€an€extension€of€timeÐ Ì Ðin€which€to€respond€to€Mr.€Allenððs€petition,€the€Commissioner€filed€a€Motion€to€Dismiss€the€petition.€Ð µ ÐTennessee€Rule€of€Civil€Procedure€12.01€provides,€in€relevant€part,€as€follows:€€Ð žî ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °ÓA€defendant€shall€serve€an€answer€within€30€days€after€the€service€ofÐ pÀ Ðthe€summons€and€complaint€upon€the€defendant.€.€.€.€The€service€ofÐ Y© Ða€motion€permitted€under€this€rule€alters€these€periods€of€time€asÐ B’ Ðfollows,€unless€a€different€time€is€fixed€by€order€of€the€court:€(1)€ifÐ +{ Ðthe€court€denies€the€motion€or€postpones€its€disposition€until€the€trialÐ d Ðon€the€merits,€the€responsive€pleading€shall€be€served€within€15€daysÐ ýM Ðafter€notice€of€the€courtððs€action€.€.€.€.Ð æ 6 ÐÓ °^ÓÓ °ù]ÓÌTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€12.01€(2003).€€The€Commissioner€was€not€required€to€file€a€response€to€the€petitionÐ ¸"! Ðunder€the€rules€of€procedure€until€the€court€below€addressed€the€Motion€to€Dismiss.€€òòRoberson€v.Ð ¡#ñ" ÐRoseóó,€No.€01„A01„9108„CV„00275,€1991€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€950,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€13,Ð Š$Ú# Ð1991).€€The€circuit€court€granted€the€Commissionerððs€motion€on€February€2,€2004,€thereby€disposingÐ s%à $ Ðof€the€case€and€making€a€response€to€the€petition€unnecessary.€€Furthermore,€Tennessee€Rule€ofÐ \&¬!% ÐCivil€Procedure€55.04€provides:Ð E'•"& ÐÓ °ÓÓ °ÓNo€judgment€by€default€shall€be€entered€against€the€State€ofÐ .(~#' ÐTennessee€or€any€officer€or€agency€thereof€unless€the€claimantÐ )g$( Ðestablishes€the€claim€or€right€to€relief€by€evidence€satisfactory€to€theÐ *P%) Ðcourt.Ð é*9&* ÐÓ °(cÓÓ °cÓÐ Ò+"'+ ÐTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€55.04€(2003);€òòMoffett€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€of€Corr.óó,€No.€M2001„03011„COA„R3„CV,Ð ° Ð2002€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€844,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Dec.€5,€2002);€òòNorthcott€v.€Tenn.€Depððt€of€Corr.óó,Ð ™é ÐNo.€01„A„01„9707„CH„00355,€1998€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€277,€at€*4ð!ð6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€29,Ð ‚Ò Ð1998).€€Mr.€Allen€failed€to€do€so.€€Ð k» ÐÌÓ  Óò òòòD.€€Treatment€of€Appellant€as€a€óóPro€Se€òòLitigantóóó óÐ =  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àIn€the€final€issue€presented€for€our€review,€Mr.€Allen€argues€that€the€circuit€court€erred€byÐ  ` Ðholding€him€to€a€higher€standard€as€a€òòpro€se€óólitigant€than€a€member€of€the€bar.€€(Appellantððs€Br.€atÐ ù I Ð8).€€In€support€of€this€argument,€Mr.€Allen€cites€to€the€circuit€courtððs€refusal€to€allow€him€to€amendÐ â 2  Ðhis€pleadings€rather€than€grant€the€Commissionerððs€Motion€to€Dismiss.€Ð Ë   ÐÌà  àð ðPrisoners€have€a€qualified€right€to€institute€and€prosecute€civil€actions€in€Tennesseeððs€Ð í  Ðcourts.ðð€€òòHessmeróó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€346,€at€*4€(citing€òòWhisnant€v.€Byrdóó,€525€S.W.2d€152,Ð †Ö  Ð153€(Tenn.€1975)).€€ð ðParties€who€decide€to€represent€themselves€are€entitled€to€fair€and€equalÐ o¿  Ðtreatment€by€the€courts.ðð€€òòIdóó.€€When€a€trial€court€is€confronted€with€a€òòpro€se€óólitigant,€conducting€theÐ X¨  Ðmatter€before€the€court€can€be€challenging.€€òòIrvinóó,€767€S.W.2d€at€651.€€ð ðOn€one€hand,€a€trial€judgeÐ A‘ Ðmust€accommodate€the€òòpro€se€óólitigantððs€legal€naivete,€and,€on€the€other€hand,€he€must€not€allow€theÐ *z Ðòòpro€se€óólitigant€an€unfair€advantage€because€the€litigant€represents€himself.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€651ð!ð52.€€ð ðòòPro€seóóÐ c Ðlitigants€who€invoke€the€complex€and€sometimes€technical€procedures€of€the€courts€assume€a€veryÐ üL Ðheavy€burden.ðð€€òòIdóó.€at€652€(citing€òòGray€v.€Stillman€White€Co.óó,€522€A.2d€737,€741€(R.I.€1987)).€€TheÐ å5 Ðtrial€court€should€take€this€into€consideration€when€presiding€over€the€matter€at€issue.€€òòIdóó.€€ð ðòòPro€seÐ Î Ðóólitigants€are€entitled€to€the€same€liberality€of€construction€with€regard€to€their€pleadings€that€[theÐ · ÐTennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure]€afford€any€other€litigant.ðð€€òòIdóó.€(citing€òòEstelle€v.€Gambleóó,€429Ð  ð ÐU.S.€97,€106€(1976)).€€The€trial€court€should€seek€to€maintain€an€equal€playing€field€but€should€notÐ ‰Ù Ðbe€expected€to€assist€a€òòpro€se€óólitigant€at€the€expense€of€the€other€side.€€òòYoungóó,€130€S.W.3d€at€63Ð r Ð(citing€òòEdmundson€v.€Prattóó,€945€S.W.2d€754,€755€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1996));€òòHessmeróó,€2003€Tenn.Ð [« ÐApp.€LEXIS€346,€at€*4ð!ð5;€òòDavis€v.€Earlsóó,€No.€W2000„00280„COA„R3„CV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXISÐ D” Ð386,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€30,€2001).€€Our€review€of€the€record€indicates€that€the€circuit€courtÐ -} Ðextended€Mr.€Allen€every€possible€courtesy€and€properly€handled€his€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari.Ð f ÐÌÓ  Óò òÌÌÌññÌÌÌÌÌÌññÌÌÌÐ à+0'+ ÐIV.€€Conclusionó óÐ ° ÐÌÓ  Óà  àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€circuit€courtððs€decision€to€grant€the€CommissionerððsÐ ƒÓ ÐMotion€to€Dismiss.€€Costs€are€adjudged€against€Appellant,€John€E.€Allen,€for€which€execution€mayÐ l¼ Ðissue,€if€necessary.€€Ô#†XÕ¯XXX(®Ê #ÔÔ#†¼‡ù»XXÕ¯œ #ÔÔ€XÕ¯X»¼‡ùÔÐ U¥ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ù I Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE