ÿWPC³# ƒ§ö^°Ç’G&WôøÚ=`Q „EqŒ¹Gmçhk¦P¯Ì!>´¸ÒŠfHÅ*>í _*~K]¸jxDµl+à¡™Zöˆ,¶ F¢ËçÜ·ÄÈÐ= b ñ¥'¨¢L哳۷‰•?^j½,?W˜ [Ûqà Ñ5#_Ó&9gÌž3Ê©¶{á,(Ùįþ ·E³ Ê,9N&YFø¹Œ*¨Î.…'ç~Áí,‡‹8{\Vš²ŽóùhuUïbå+èÅÌ®®Nõ= X1cc'¬Ï—ÈG2Vf&ëM½$FO”ݬT¢O=…¶ÂnÌ8e,ô°W`öûþ¥¬ b3r½ J‚ZÓÝV]äà©j%öÌÔÏ0^Gyú¯&¥W£.ÄdÁË;Yhî¤Ï"„^ƒYç—¹cµŒ»ºCqʨpôˆ¹Ž€ÿ™!ò=Æ)T09Ž}ë0ÅK‚×o«jÿÜ)HJ9dNP=ßo¬|Ž`ª«Nü8-ŸCǽYùÌ[`ø1$ýÜGmÁú÷ •¦ñ™W>ÿÄÝâÁ0_y‰¶=ñî/0' ¼ÈíOÛ½_ÔCøßC>®Y‹“%o‡-—4͆;0}“Û=7°RÚömñÍìkM—5Nàü^¨¨=FJìX»3# ÊUNÕ %# 0()U":Qw@‹4Ëß}î 0 Dkì¯Ò› nm ÝÛ "¸"ÚqüU:mЧ1AYFU:ŸŒÙU:eŸU:§ AQá 0D2vU:y,³Æß 0D¥! 0Dé! B-"-" D/J"J" By" D3–"–"–"–"–"–"–"–"bÉ" 0 âÑ"˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular ŒPŒDŒŒDŒaŒ?eŒeŒUŒÓ€ŒÖ…#%#3|xŒ sÝ ƒ2²q$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÔ€ôÒÚôXXm¾Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€6„101€&€6„134€(1971€Repl›.)€repealed€in€1991€and€replaced€by€Tenn.Ð ,  ÐCode€Ann.€ðððð€6„1„101€through€6„4„402€(1992€œRepl›.€€&€œSupp›.€1997).(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó âÝ ƒ2²q$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÔ€ôÒÚôXXm¾Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€6„132€(1971€Repl›.). ÈÝ ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝWe€recognize€that€municipal€judges€of€cities€having€a€population€in€excess€of€160,000€underÐ ,  Ðthe€1980€census€or€any€subsequent€federal€census€must€be€authorized€to€practice€law€in€the€courtsÏof€Tennessee.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„1„106(d)€(1994€Repl.). dÝ ƒ2²q$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÔ€ôÒÚôXXm¾Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„123€(Supp.€1973).€€These€statutes,€as€amended,€are€now€codifiedÐ ,  Ðat€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€16„18„101€&€16„18„102€(1994€Repl.). ÓÝ ƒ2²q$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÔ€ôÒÚôXXm¾Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝOral€arguments€were€heard€in€this€case€on€April€2,€1998,€in€Shelbyville›,€Bedford€County,Ð ,  ÐTennessee,€as€part€of€this€Courtððs€œS.C.A.L.E.S.›€(ò òSó óupreme€ò òCó óourt€ò òAó ódvancing€ò òLó óegal€ò òEó óducation€forÐ ê ¾ Ðò òSó ótudents)€project. Ñ ° ÑÑ ° Ñ Ñ ` ÑÑ , Ñ gÝ ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€17„123€(Supp›.€1973).€€These€statutes,€as€amended,€are€now€codified€atÐ ,  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€16„18„101€&€16„18„102€(1994€œRepl›.).,þµ AZ"Arial Regular €Ý ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ôaæôôôaæÔRecently,€we€granted€the€motion€of€the€appellees€to€consider€as€post„judgment€facts€theÐ ,  Ðfollowing:€On€August€6,€1998,€Susan€Johnson,€a€licensed€attorney,€was€elected€to€the€office€of€WhiteÏHouse€City€Judge.€€These€facts€do€not€render€this€appeal€moot,€however.€€This€appeal€involves€aÏquestion€of€great€public€importance€which€is€likely€to€recur€in€that€a€considerable€number€of€theÏmunicipal€and€general€sessions€judges€in€Tennessee€are€non„lawyers.€€òòMcCanless€v.€Kleinóó,€182Ð ,  ÐTenn.€631,€637,€188€S.W.2d€745€(1945);€òòDockery€v.€Dockeryóó,€559€S.W.2d€952,€954€(Tenn.€App.Ð ì À Ð1977).Ô#†ôaæôôôaæ¹#Ô Ý ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€Sheriffs€of€Sumner€and€Robertson€Counties€are€not€parties€to€this€appeal. ûÝ ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€16„18„201€through€16„18„207€(1994€Repl.). OÝ ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝThe€qualification€section€of€the€ordinance€provides€as€follows:€ð ðThe€municipal€judge€shall€beÐ ,  Ða€resident€of€the€City€of€White€House€one€year€and€a€resident€of€Tennessee€five€years€immediatelyÏpreceding€his/her€election€and€at€least€30€years€of€age.€€In€addition,€the€municipal€judge€shall€be€aÏgraduate,€with€a€B.S./B.A.€degree€from€an€accredited€institution€of€higher€education.ðð,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular ‚Ý ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ôaæôôôaæÔRecently,€we€granted€the€motion€of€the€appellees€to€consider€as€post„judgment€facts€theÐ ,  Ðfollowing:€On€August€6,€1998,€Susan€Johnson,€a€licensed€attorney,€was€elected€to€the€office€of€WhiteÏHouse€City€Judge.€€These€facts€do€not€render€this€appeal€moot,€however.€€This€appeal€involves€aÏquestion€of€great€public€importance€which€is€likely€to€›recurœ€in€that€a€considerable€number€of€theÏmunicipal€and€general€sessions€judges€in€Tennessee€are€non„lawyers.€€òòMcCanless€v.€Kleinóó,€182Ð ,  ÐTenn.€631,€637,€188€S.W.2d€745€(1945);€òòDockery€v.€Dockeryóó,€559€S.W.2d€952,€954€(Tenn.€App.Ð ì À Ð1977).Ô#†ôaæôôôaæ¹#Ô,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular,þµ AZ"Arial Regular!"#&Cþÿ<< Cÿÿ($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó ùÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÔ€§$ XXm¾ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€Xm¾X §$ÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€12,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular "Ý ƒ2ޱ$ÝÑ@ȰÑÑ@Ú°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xn¬XXXÔÔ€ôaæôXXn¬Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝApproximately€twenty„two€general€sessions€court€judges€in€Tennessee€are€not€licensed€toÐ ,  Ðpractice€law.€€In€addition,€approximately€seventy„five€municipal€court€judges€are€not€licensed€toÏpractice€law.€€Municipal€Technical€Advisory€Service,€University€of€Tennessee,€òòDirectory€of€TennesseeÐ ¬ € ÐMunicipal€Officialsóó€(1996).ƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý d(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd$$$$'ÿÿdxd- ù-(’(2²q$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÑȰÑÑÚ°ÑÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÔ€ôÒÚôXXm¾Ôà Ø àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝñŒñ›ñŒññŒññŒñ›ñŒññŒññŒñ›ñŒñÒ€°ÒÒÀ°ÒÑ` °ÑÔ€Xm¾XXXÔÑ€1ÑÑ7€&XXdìdÈ7ÑÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€©>Ñò òÓ=€&X°XdÐd=ÓœñŒññŒññŒññŒñœñŒñßr€)<,(j 8` `€€@E»f ` 8ttxPó` ð  rßñŒññŒññŒñ›à@ž ž ÌàÔ‡¼¼XXm¾ÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEó óˆÐ `  Ðò òà@ˆˆ(ÌàAT€NASHVILLEó óÔ#†Xm¾X¼¼6#ԈРt  Ðà@ÖÖ#Ìà(HEARD€AT€ñŒñœñŒñSHELBYVILLEñŒñ›ñŒñ)ˆÌÌÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àòòFOR€PUBLICATIONóóÐ :Ú ÐñŒññŒñÌTHE€CITY€OF€WHITE€HOUSE,à 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àñŒñœñŒñò òFiled:ó ó€October€12,€1998ñŒñ›ñŒñÐ ¦ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)Ìà Ø àAppellant,à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àHon.€€Tom€E.€Gray,Ð Øx  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àChancellorÐ ¾^  ÐñŒñœñŒñVsñŒñ›ñŒñ.à Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)Ð ¤D  ÐñŒññŒñà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àñŒñœñŒñSUMNERñŒñ›ñŒñ€CHANCERYÐ Š*  ÐLAWRENCE€RAY€WHITLEY,à 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àà ˜ àà ð àÐ p  ÐDistrict€Attorney€General€for€theà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àSupreme€CourtÐ Vö  ÐñŒññŒñEighteenth€Judicial€District€of€the€State€ofà è à)à @ àNo.€ñŒñœñŒñ01S01ñŒñ›ñŒñ„9711„CH„00259Ð <Ü  ÐTennessee,€JOHN€ñŒñœñŒñCARNEYñŒñ›ñŒñ,€District€à  àà è à)Ð " ÐAttorney€General€for€the€Nineteenth€Judicialà è à)Ð ¨ ÐñŒñœßt€)>.*jx’þG` `€€@EJ5` 8ttxP‚îð G tß›ñŒñDistrict€of€the€State€of€Tennessee€andà  àà è à)Ð îŽ ÐSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à à àà 8 àà  àà è à)Ð Ôt Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)Ìà Ø àAppellees,à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àÐ  @ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àÐ †& ÐANDà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)Ð l  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)ÌTAYLOR€(TED)€EMERY,€Sheriff€for€Robertsonà è à)Ð 8 Ø ÐCounty,€Tennessee;€J.D.€ñŒñœñŒñVANDERCOOKñŒñ›ñŒñ,à è à)Ð !¾ ÐSheriff€for€ñŒñœñŒñSumnerñŒñ›ñŒñ€County,€Tennessee,à  àà è à)Ð "¤ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)Ìà Ø àDefendants.à ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è à)à @ àà ˜ àà ð àÐ Ð#p ÐÌòòÌÔ‡ôÒÚôXXm¾ÔÌò òÌÌFOR€APPELLANT:ó óà ˆ àà à àò òFOR€AMICUS€ñŒñœñŒñCURIAE:ñ Œñà @ àñ ŒñóóñŒñ›ñŒñà ˜ àòòFOR€APPELLEES:Ð Ì(l# ÐCity€of€White€Houseà ˆ àà à àñŒñœñŒñNonLawyerñŒñ›ñŒñ€Generalà è àà @ àWhitley€&€ñŒñœñŒñCarneyñŒñ›ñŒñó óÐ ’)2 $ ÐóóDavid€ñŒñœñŒñAmonetteñŒñ›ñŒñà ˆ àà à àò òòòSessions€Judges€ofóóó óà è àà @ àJohn€Knox€WalkupÐ X*ø % ÐñŒñœñŒñGallatinñŒñ›ñŒñ,€Tennesseeà ˆ àà à àòòò òñŒñœñŒñClaiborneñŒñ›ñŒñ,€ñŒñœñŒñGreeneñŒñ›ñŒñ,ó óóóà è àà @ àAttorney€General€&€Reporterà  # àÐ +¾!& Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àòòò òLake€and€ñŒñœñŒñObionñŒñ›ñŒñ€Countiesó óóóà @ àÐ ä+„"' Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àDouglas€T.€JenkinsÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àRogersville,€Tennesseeà è àà @ àMichael€E.€MooreÐ h-$) Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àSolicitor€GeneralÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àAndà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àÐ ä.„%+ Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà  àà è àà @ àGordon€W.€SmithÌà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àW.€Lewis€Jenkins,€Jr.à è àà @ àAssociate€Solicitor€GeneralÐ `0'- Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àñŒñœñŒñWILKERSONñŒñ›ñŒñ,€ñŒñœñŒñGAULDINñŒñ›ñŒñà @ àNashville,€TennesseeÐ 1¾'. Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à à&€HAYESà  àÐ Ü1|(/ ÐÔ#†Xm¾XôôÒÚ#Ôà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àÔ‡ôÒÚôXXm¾ÔñŒñœñŒñDyersburgñŒñ›ñŒñ,€TennesseeÔ#†Xm¾XôôÒÚ”#ÔÐ š2:)0 ÐÌÌÔ‡„~> „XXm¾ÔÌà@VV(Ìàò òO€P€I€N€I€O€Nó óÔ#†Xm¾X „„~>#ԈР~6-4 ÐÌÌñŒñœñŒññŒñÌñŒññŒñ›ñŒñÌñŒñÑ©>ÑÑ` °ÑÑ, ` ÑÑ  ÑñŒñCOURT€OF€APPEALS€AFFIRMED.à  àà è àà @ àà ˜ àñŒñœñŒñDROWOTAñŒñ›ñŒñ,€J.€Ð  ”:418 ÐÑ©>ÑÑ` °ÑÑ, ` ÑÑ  ÑÓÓñŒñœñŒññŒñœñŒññŒñÑ€dO ÑñŒññŒñ›ñŒñà Ø àIn€this€appeal,€we€are€confronted€with€the€question€of€whether€Article€I,ÏSection€8€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€precludes€non„attorney€judges€fromÏpresiding€over€trials€of€criminal€offenses€which€are€punishable€by€incarceration.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Ð Ä ˜ ÐWe€have€determined€that€individuals€charged€with€a€criminal€offense€punishableÏby€incarceration€are€constitutionally€entitled€to€have€an€attorney€judge€preside€atÏthe€trial.€€However,€this€right€may€be€waived€in€a€manner€consistent€with€theÏprovisions€of€Rule€5(c),€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€€The€principles€announced€herein€applyÏto€(1)€all€cases€tried€or€retried€after€the€date€of€this€opinion,€and€(2)€to€all€cases€onÏappeal€in€which€the€due€process€issue€has€been€raised€in€the€trial€court€andÏpreserved€as€a€ground€for€appeal.€€Accordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€is€affirmed.ÌÌà@óó)Ìàòòò òBACKGROUNDóóó óˆÐ ¼ Ðà Ø àThe€City€of€White€House€lies€in€both€Sumner€and€Robertson€Counties.€€TheÏCity€was€incorporated€under€a€mayor€and€aldermanic€charter€in€1971€pursuant€toÏstate€law.׃ Ú×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€At€the€time€of€its€incorporation,€the€enabling€statutes€did€not€provide€forÐ ,% Ða€municipal€judge,€and€in€fact,€provided€that€the€mayor€had€ð ðall€the€powers€of€aÏjustice€of€the€peace€within€the€municipality,€for€the€purpose€of€keeping€the€peaceÏâ âand€trying€offenses€against€any€ordinance€or€the€laws€of€the€state.ðð׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€1973,€theÐ *d $ ÐGeneral€Assembly€enacted€a€statuteñŒñœñŒññŒñ׃ ×ñŒññŒñ׃×ñŒñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ñŒñ›ñŒñ€to€empower€the€governing€body€of€aÐ ,  Ðâ âmunicipality€to€establish€the€office€of€municipal€judge€by€ordinance.€€The€statuteÏdid€not€prescribe€specific€qualifications€for€the€office,€but€instead€left€the€matter€ofÏthe€judgeððs€qualifications€to€a€cityððs€governing€body.ÌÌà Ø àFrom€1973€until€1988,€the€mayor€and€board€of€aldermen€of€White€HouseÏappointed€various€lawyers€to€serve€as€municipal€judge.€€When€the€person€servingÏas€municipal€judge€resigned€in€1988,€the€mayor€and€board€of€aldermen,€followingÏa€practice€common€in€other€parts€of€the€state,€requested€the€general€sessionsÏjudges€from€Robertson€and€Sumner€County€to€act€as€municipal€judge€for€the€CityÏof€White€House.€€The€general€sessions€judge€from€Sumner€County€presided€overÏthe€cases€arising€in€the€part€of€the€city€located€in€Sumner€County,€and€the€generalÏsessions€judge€from€Robertson€County€presided€over€the€cases€arising€in€the€partÏof€the€city€located€in€Robertson€County.€€Both€these€general€sessions€court€judgesÏwere€licensed€attorneys.€€This€arrangement€continued€for€two€years,€but€fromÏ1990€to€1994,€the€general€sessions€judge€of€Sumner€County€served€as€the€soleÏmunicipal€judge€for€the€City€of€White€House.€€ÌÌà Ø àUpon€her€resignation€in€1994,€the€Mayor€and€Board€of€Aldermen,€pursuantÏto€state€statutes,׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€enacted€an€ordinance€establishing€a€municipal€court€with€aÐ 4-#& Ðpopularly€elected€judge.€€The€ordinance€authorized€the€municipal€judge€ð ðtoÏexercise€jurisdiction€concurrent€with€courts€of€general€sessions€in€all€casesÐ ä0¸&* Ðinvolving€the€violation€of€the€criminal€law€of€the€State€within€the€corporate€limits€ofÏthe€city....ðð€€The€ordinance€contained€age,€residence,€and€minimum€educationÏrequirements€but€did€not€require€the€municipal€€judge€to€be€licensed€to€practiceÏlaw€in€Tennessee.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ´ˆ ÐÌà Ø àIn€August€of€1994,€the€residents€of€White€House€elected€Charles€R.ÏBobbitt,€Jr.,€to€the€office€of€municipal€judge.€€The€parties€to€this€appeal€stipulatedÏin€the€trial€court€that€Mr.€Bobbitt€meets€all€state€constitutional€and€statutoryÏrequirements€to€hold€the€office€of€municipal€judge.€€However,€Mr.€Bobbitt€is€not€aÏlicensed€attorney.ÌÌà Ø àFollowing€his€election,€the€appellees,€District€Attorneys€General€for€theÏEighteenth€and€Nineteenth€Judicial€Districts,€declined€to€prosecute€in€the€WhiteÏHouse€Municipal€Court€violations€of€state€statutes€occurring€within€the€WhiteÏHouse€city€limits.€€Instead,€they€chose€to€prosecute€these€cases€in€the€GeneralÏSessions€Courts€of€Robertson€or€Sumner€Counties.€€The€appelleesðð€decision€wasÏbased€upon€a€concern€that€prosecuting€state€warrants€in€the€White€HouseÏMunicipal€Court€might€be€a€violation€of€due€process€because€Judge€Bobbitt€wasÏnot€a€licensed€attorney.€€The€concerns€of€the€appellees€were€echoed€by€theÏTennessee€Attorney€General€and€Reporter€who€rendered€a€formal€opinion€onÏJune€16,€1994,€stating€that,€as€a€non„attorney€judge,€Judge€Bobbitt€might€beÏdisqualified€by€due€process€ð ðfrom€disposing€of€cases€involving€adults€where€suchÐ ä0¸&* Ðcases€involve€the€possibility€of€incarceration€or€other€deprivation€of€liberty.ðð€€Op.ÏAttððy€Gen.€U94„91€(June€16,€1994).€€The€State€Attorney€Generalððs€opinion€wasÏbased€in€large€part€upon€a€prior€decision€of€this€Court€holding€that€non„attorneyÏjudges€may€not€consistently€with€due€process€preside€over€juvenile€delinquencyÏhearings€where€the€juvenile€faces€the€possibility€of€confinement€or€other€loss€ofÏliberty.€€òòState€ex€rel.€Anglin€v.€Mitchellóó,€596€S.W.2d€779,€791€(Tenn.€1980).Ð d8  ÐÌà Ø àPreferring€to€avoid€the€time€and€expense€of€requiring€their€city€policeÏofficers€to€travel€to€either€Gallatin,€in€Sumner€County,€or€Springfield,€in€RobertsonÏCounty,€to€prosecute€violations€of€state€law€occurring€within€the€city€limits,€WhiteÏHouse€city€officials€asked€the€district€attorneys€general€to€reconsider€theirÏposition.€€When€the€appellees€declined,€the€City€of€White€House€filed€suit€inÏChancery€Court€in€Sumner€County€seeking€declaratory€and€injunctive€relief.€ÌÌà Ø àFollowing€oral€argument,€and€after€consideration€of€the€facts€as€agreedÏupon€by€the€parties€and€the€record,€the€trial€court€filed€an€opinion€concluding€thatÏneither€the€Constitution,€nor€statutes€of€Tennessee€require€municipal€judges€to€beÏlicensed€to€practice€law€or€learned€in€the€law.€€Therefore,€the€trial€court€declaredÏthat€ð ð[c]oncurrent€jurisdiction€and€authority€with€courts€of€general€sessions€as€setÏforth€in€Title€40€in€all€cases€of€the€violation€of€criminal€laws€of€the€State€ofÏTennessee€within€the€limits€of€the€municipality€exists€in€the€White€House€CityÏCourt.ðð€€However,€the€trial€court€declined€to€issue€a€writ€of€mandamus€directing€theÏdistrict€attorneys€general€to€prosecute€state€warrant€violations€in€the€White€HouseÏMunicipal€Court,€and€also€declared€that€the€municipal€judge€had€no€authority€toÐ ”4h*. Ðorder€the€Sumner€County€Sheriff€to€incarcerate€prisoners€in€the€absence€of€aÏcontract€between€White€House€and€Sumner€County.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð  Ø ÐÌà Ø àThe€district€attorneys€appealed€the€trial€courtððs€judgment,€and€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€reversed,€concluding€that€Article€I,€Section€8€of€the€TennesseeÏConstitution€as€interpreted€by€this€Court€in€òòState€ex€rel€Anglin€v.€Mitchellóó,€òòsupraóó,Ð d8  Ðprohibits€non„attorney€judges€from€presiding€over€the€trial€of€a€defendant€for€anÏoffense€punishable€by€incarceration.€€Thereafter,€we€granted€the€City€of€WhiteÏHouse€permission€to€appeal€to€decide€this€important€issue€of€constitutional€law.€ÏFor€the€reasons€herein€stated,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€Court€of€Appeals.€ÌÌÌà@øø)Ìàòòò òDUE€PROCESSóóó óà@@ÌÌ.ÌàˆÐ L  Ðà Ø àBefore€addressing€the€central€issue€in€this€appeal,€we€will€briefly€address€Ïthe€contention€of€the€òòamicus€curiaeóó€that€this€appeal€does€not€present€a€justiciableÐ  $à Ðcontroversy.Ô‡Xn¬XXXn¬Ô€€This€Court€in€òòMiller€v.€Milleróó,€149€Tenn.€463,€261€S.W.€965€(1924),Ð ä%¸ Ðexplained€the€concept€of€justiciable€controversy€under€the€Declaratory€JudgmentÏAct€as€follows:ÌÓÓà8 Ø àthe€only€controversy€necessary€to€invoke€the€action€of€the€court€andÏhave€it€to€declare€rights€under€our€declaratory€judgment€statute€isÏthat€the€question€must€be€real,€and€not€theoretical;€the€personÏraising€it€must€have€a€real€interest,€and€there€must€be€some€oneÏhaving€a€real€interest€in€the€question€who€may€oppose€theÏdeclaration€sought.€€It€is€not€necessary€that€any€breach€should€beÏfirst€committed,€any€right€invaded,€or€wrong€done.€€The€purpose€ofÏthe€act,€as€expressed€in€section€12€thereof,€is€to€ððsettle€and€to€affordÏrelief€from€uncertainty€and€insecurity€with€respect€to€rights,€statusÐ Ì2 (, Ðand€other€legal€relations;€and€is€to€be€liberally€construed€andÏadministered.ðð€€Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÓ±8Ó261€S.W.€at€972;€òòseeóó€òòalsoóó€òòCummings€v.€Beeleróó,€189€Tenn.€151,€156,€223€S.W.2dÐ  Ø Ð913,€915€(1949).€€Applying€that€test,€we€conclude€that€this€appeal€presents€aÏjusticiable€controversy.€€The€issue€is€real€not€theoretical.€€The€municipal€judge€inÏWhite€House€is€not€an€attorney,ñŒñœñŒññŒñ׃×ñŒññŒñ׃×ñŒñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ñŒñ›ñŒñ€yet€the€city€ordinance€grants€to€him€jurisdictionÐ Œ` Ðconcurrent€with€courts€of€general€sessions,€including€jurisdiction€to€preside€overÏcriminal€cases€in€which€incarceration€is€a€possible€punishment.€Ô#†Xn¬XXXn¬Ò7#ÔThe€AttorneyÐ <  ÐGeneral€of€this€State€has€opined€that€due€process€may€preclude€a€non„attorneyÏjudge€ð ðfrom€disposing€of€cases€involving€adults€where€such€cases€involve€theÏpossibility€of€incarceration€or€other€deprivation€of€liberty.ðð€€In€that€opinion,€theÏAttorney€General€relied€upon€a€published€decision€of€this€Court.Ô‡Xn¬XXXn¬Ô€€The€City€ofÐ œp ÐWhite€House€has€an€interest€in€the€outcome€of€this€appeal€because€it€directlyÏaffects€the€scope€of€cases€which€can€be€decided€by€its€municipal€judge.€€TheÏDistrict€Attorney€Generals€have€an€interest€in€the€outcome€of€this€appeal€as€aÏresult€of€their€statutory€duty€to€prosecute€violations€of€state€criminal€laws.€€AtÏpresent,€it€is€not€clear€whether€that€duty€can€be€constitutionally€fulfilled€byÏprosecuting€cases€in€the€White€House€City€Court.€€Ô#†Xn¬XXXn¬×?#ÔFor€all€these€reasons€weÐ ¬'€  Ðconclude€that€this€appeal€presents€a€justiciable€controversy.€€Therefore,€we€willÏnow€consider€whether€Article€I,€Section€8€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€precludesÏnon„attorney€judges€from€presiding€over€trials€of€criminal€offenses€which€areÐ 4-#& Ðpunishable€by€incarceration.ÌÌà Ø àIn€this€Court,€the€City€of€White€House€asserts€that€the€Court€of€AppealsÏerred€in€reversing€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€because€the€White€HouseÏMunicipal€Judge€satisfies€all€constitutional€and€statutory€requirements€to€hold€theÏoffice,€which€do€not€include€being€licensed€to€practice€law.€€The€appellees,€whileÏagreeing€that€no€statute€or€constitutional€provision€requires€the€White€HouseÏMunicipal€Judge€to€be€a€licensed€attorney€as€a€condition€of€holding€office,Ïnonetheless€assert€that€Article€I,€Section€8€of€the€Tennessee€ConstitutionÏprohibits€a€non„attorney€judge€from€presiding€over€a€criminal€proceeding€whichÏmay€result€in€a€citizenððs€incarceration.ÌÌà Ø àWe€agree€with€the€appellees.€€There€is€no€general€statutory€orÏconstitutional€provision€which€mandates€that€a€municipal€judge€be€licensed€toÏpractice€law.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€relevant€statute€requires€a€popularly€elected€municipal€judge€toÐ ü#Ð Ðð ðmeet€the€requirements€established€in€article€VI,€ðð€4€of€the€Constitution€ofÏTennessee€for€judges€of€inferior€courts.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð16„18„202€(1994ÏRepl.).€€Article€VI,€Section€4€provides€that€theÌÓÓà8 Ø àJudges€of€the€Circuit€and€Chancery€Courts,€and€of€other€inferiorÏCourts,€shall€be€elected€by€the€qualified€voters€of€the€district€orÏcircuit€to€which€they€are€to€be€assigned.€€Every€Judge€of€such€CourtsÏshall€be€thirty€years€of€age,€and€shall€before€his€election,€have€beenÏa€resident€of€the€State€for€five€years€and€of€the€circuit€or€district€oneÏyear.€€His€term€of€service€shall€be€eight€years.€€Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌÓHÓTherefore,€neither€the€statute€nor€the€Constitution€require€that€a€municipal€judge€Ð Ð1¤'+ Ðbe€a€licensed€attorney€as€a€condition€of€holding€office.€€However,€as€recognizedÏby€the€appellees,€the€issue€in€this€appeal€is€not€whether€a€municipal€judge€mustÏbe€a€licensed€attorney€as€a€condition€of€holding€the€office.€€Instead,€the€issue€isÏwhether€a€non„attorney€municipal€judge€may€constitutionally€preside€over€the€trialÏof€criminal€offenses€which€are€punishable€by€incarceration.ÌÌà Ø àAs€previously€stated,€the€White€House€Municipal€Court€has€criminalÏjurisdiction€ð ðconcurrent€with€courts€of€general€sessions€in€all€cases€involving€theÏviolation€of€the€criminal€laws€of€the€State€within€the€corporate€limits€of€the€city.€.€.€.ðð€ÏCourts€of€general€sessions€are€vested€with€jurisdiction€toÌÓÓà8 Ø àtry€and€determine€and€render€final€judgment€in€all€misdemeanorÏcases€brought€before€the€court€by€warrant€or€information€wherein€theÏperson€charged€with€such€misdemeanor€enters€a€plea€of€guilty€inÏwriting€or€requests€a€trial€upon€the€merits€and€expressly€waives€anÏindictment,€presentment,€grand€jury€investigation€and€jury€trial.€€SuchÏwaiver€shall€be€in€writing€as€provided€in€Rule€5€of€the€TennesseeÏRules€of€Criminal€Procedure.€€In€such€cases,€the€trial€shall€proceedÏbefore€the€court€without€the€intervention€of€a€jury,€and€the€court€shallÏenter€such€judgment,€and,€as€an€incident€thereto,€may€inflict€suchÏpunishment€within€the€limits€provided€by€law€for€the€particularÏoffense€as€the€court€may€determine€proper€under€the€peculiarÏcircumstances€of€such€case.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌÓ&MÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„1„109€(1997€Repl.).€€Except€as€specifically€provided€byÏstatute,€all€state€misdemeanor€offenses€are€punishable€by€incarceration.€€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€40„35„111(e)€(1997€Repl.).€€Therefore,€in€virtually€every€stateÏmisdemeanor€case€brought€before€the€White€House€Municipal€Court,€the€potentialÏfor€incarceration€of€the€defendant€exists.ÌÌà Ø àIn€determining€whether€a€non„attorney€judge€may€preside€over€a€criminalÏtrial€potentially€resulting€in€a€deprivation€of€liberty,€we€begin€with€the€language€ofÐ €5T+/ ÐArticle€I,€Section€8€ÌÓÓà8 Ø àà80 Ø À!Ø À!àThat€no€man€shall€be€taken€or€imprisoned,€or€disseizedÏof€his€freehold,€liberties€or€privileges,€or€outlawed,€orÏexiled,€or€in€any€manner€destroyed€or€deprived€of€hisÏlife,€liberty€or€property,€but€by€the€judgment€of€his€peersÏor€the€law€of€the€land.Ð 0 h0 h ÐÓ¬RÓÌIn€òòState€ex€rel.€Anglin€v.€Mitchellóó,€òòsupraóó,€this€Court€concluded€that€an€adjudicationÐ xL  Ðof€delinquency€and€a€commitment€to€the€Department€of€Corrections€by€a€non„¼attorney€judge€violates€the€due€process€guaranteed€by€the€ð ðlaw€of€the€landððÏportion€of€this€constitutional€provision.€€In€òòAnglinóó,€this€Court€emphasized€thatÐ Ô  Ðð ð[d]ue€process€of€law€is€the€primary€and€indispensable€foundation€of€individualÏfreedom,ðð€and€the€ð ðbasic€and€essential€term€in€the€social€compact€which€definesÏthe€rights€of€the€individual€and€delimits€the€powers€which€the€state€may€exercise.ðð€ÏòòIdóó.,€596€S.W.2d€at€785,€(quoting€òòIn€re€Gaultóó,€387€U.S.€1,€20,€87€S.Ct.€1428,€1439„Ð `4 Ð40,€18€L.Ed.2d€527€(1967)).€€As€a€result€of€its€very€important€role€in€our€society,Ïdue€process€is€not€a€static€legal€principle,€but,€in€a€free€society,€it€is€an€advancingÏstandard€consisting€of€those€basic€rights€which€are€deemed€reasonable€and€right.€ÏòòIdóó.,€596€S.W.2d€at€785„86,€(citing€òòWolf€v.€Coloradoóó,€338€U.S.€25,€27,€69€S.Ct.Ð À&” Ð1359,€1361,€93€L.Ed.€1782€(1949)).ÌÌà Ø àWhile€recognizing€in€òòAnglinóó€that,€historically,€the€due€process€right€to€a€fairÐ H,"% Ðtrial€in€a€fair€tribunal€did€not€include€the€right€to€an€attorney€judge,€this€CourtÏemphasized€that€the€due€process€right€to€a€fair€trial€had€advanced€to€guarantee€toÏadult€and€juvenile€criminal€defendants€the€right€to€representation€by€counsel.€€òòIdóó.,Ð Ð1¤'+ Ð596€S.W.2d€at€786„88.€€In€concluding€that€due€process€had€also€necessarilyÏadvanced€to€guarantee€the€right€to€an€attorney€judge€in€a€delinquencyÐ €5T+/ Ðadjudication,€this€Court€explained€that€ð ð[t]he€right€to€counsel€becomes€ððasÏsounding€brass,€or€a€tinkling€cymbalðð€if€there€is€not€a€concomitant€right€to€a€trialÏbefore€a€qualified€judge.ðð€€òòIdóó.,€596€S.W.2d€at€788.€€While€commending€non„Ð Ü ° Ðattorney€juvenile€judges€for€their€conscientious€efforts€to€address€the€complexÏlegal€questions€presented€them€for€resolution,€this€Court€stated€that€ð ðgoodÏintentions€are€of€no€constitutional€consequenceðð€and€concluded€that€due€processÏmandates€a€law€trained€judge€preside€over€a€delinquency€proceeding€involving€aÏdeprivation€of€liberty.€€òòIdóó.Ð è  ÐÌà Ø àWhile€òòAnglinóó€involved€a€juvenile€court€adjudication€of€delinquency,€theРĘ Ðrationale€of€that€decision€applies€with€equal€force€in€the€context€of€this€appeal.€€AsÏthis€Court€recognized€in€òòAnglinóó,€a€criminal€defendant€has€a€constitutional€right€toÐ tH Ðrepresentation€by€a€legally€qualified€attorney.€€òòArgersinger€v.€Hamlinóó,€407€U.S.€25,Ð L  Ð92€S.Ct.€2006,€32€L.Ed.2d€530€(1972);€òòGideon€v.€Wainwrightóó,€372€U.S.€335,€83Ð $"ø ÐS.Ct.€792,€9€L.Ed.2d€799€(1963).€€To€require€a€lesser€standard€of€a€judgeÏpresiding€over€the€trial€of€a€criminal€offense€punishable€by€incarceration€wouldÏdefeat€the€constitutional€purpose€of€the€right€to€counsel.€€With€respect€to€theÏimportance€of€the€right€to€counsel,€the€United€States€Supreme€Court€stated€inÏòòPowell€v.€Alabamaóó,€Ð \+0!$ ÐÓÓà8 Ø àThe€right€to€be€heard€would€be,€in€many€cases,€of€little€avail€if€it€didÏnot€comprehend€the€right€to€be€heard€by€counsel.€€Even€theÏintelligent€and€educated€layman€has€small€and€sometimes€no€skill€inÏthe€science€of€law.€€If€charged€with€crime,€he€is€incapable,€generally,Ïof€determining€for€himself€whether€the€indictment€is€good€or€bad.€€HeÏis€unfamiliar€with€the€rules€of€evidence.€€Left€without€the€aid€ofÏcounsel€he€may€be€put€on€trial€without€a€proper€charge,€andÏconvicted€upon€incompetent€evidence,€or€evidence€irrelevant€to€theÏissue€or€otherwise€inadmissible.€€He€lacks€both€the€skill€andÏknowledge€adequately€to€prepare€his€defense,€even€though€he€haveÐ €5T+/ Ða€perfect€one.€€He€requires€the€guiding€hand€of€counsel€at€everyÏstep€in€the€proceedings€against€him.€€Without€it,€though€he€be€notÏguilty,€he€faces€the€danger€of€conviction€because€he€does€not€knowÏhow€to€establish€his€innocence.Ð Ø À!Ø À! ÐÌÓÓ287€U.S.€45,€68„69,€53€S.Ct.€55,€64,€77€L.Ed.€158€(1932).€Certainly,€as€weÏrecognized€in€òòAnglinóó,€it€is€inherently€inconsistent€to€guarantee€the€right€to€counselÐ  t Ðwithout€also€giving€the€defendant€the€right€to€have€an€attorney€judge€when€theÏproceeding€may€result€in€a€deprivation€of€liberty.€€Since€our€legal€system€regardsÏdenial€of€counsel€as€a€denial€of€fundamental€fairness,€it€logically€follows€that€theÏfailure€to€provide€a€judge€qualified€to€comprehend€and€utilize€counselððs€legalÏarguments€likewise€is€a€denial€of€due€process.ÌÌà Ø àBy€so€stating,€we€do€not€suggest€that€a€fair€trial€is€impossible€in€a€courtÏpresided€over€by€a€non„attorney€judge.€€Indeed,€we€recognize€and€commend€theÏvaluable€contribution€which€non„attorney€judges€have€made€to€the€administrationÏof€justice€in€this€State.€€Historically,€compelling€reasons€existed€for€allowingÏlaypersons€to€act€as€judges.€€Communities€were€sparsely€settled,€transportationÏwas€slow,€communication€was€difficult,€few€lawyers€were€available,€and€the€lawÏwas€not€as€complex€as€it€is€today.€€òòSeeóó€Comment,€ð ðConstitutional€Law€„€DueÐ ˜(l! ÐProcess€„€Permitting€ñŒñœñŒñNon„AttorneyñŒñ›ñŒñ€Judges€to€Preside€Over€Criminal€Trials€inÏWhich€the€Offense€is€Punishable€by€a€Jail€Sentence€Violates€DefendantsððÏFundamental€Right€to€a€Fair€Trial,ðð€28€Van.L.Rev.€421,€423„34€(1975);€òòseeóó€òòalsoóóÐ  .ô#' ÐòòGordon€v.€Justice€Court€for€Yuba€Judicial€District€of€Sutter€Countyóó,€525€P.2d€72,Ð ø/Ì%) Ð75€(Cal.€€1974).€€€The€initial€justifications€permitting€non„attorney€judges€to€presideÏover€trials€of€criminal€offenses€punishable€by€incarceration,€however,€no€longerÏexist€in€modern€society.€€There€has€been€a€vast€increase€in€the€number€ofÐ €5T+/ Ðattorneys€and€tremendous€improvements€in€transportation€and€communication.€ÏFurthermore,€and€perhaps€most€importantly,€the€increased€complexity€of€criminalÏlaw€and€criminal€procedure€has€greatly€enhanced€the€probability€that€a€laypersonÏjudge€will€be€unable€to€deal€effectively€with€the€complexities€inherent€in€a€criminalÏtrial.€€In€light€of€these€societal€and€legal€changes,€we€hold€that€the€due€processÏprotections€€of€Article€I,€Section€8€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€guarantee€to€aÏcriminal€defendant€on€trial€for€an€offense€punishable€by€incarceration€the€right€toÏbe€tried€before€an€attorney€judge.€€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòGordonóó,€525€P.2d€at€74;€òòState€v.Ð è  ÐDunkerleyóó,€365€A.2d€131€(Vt.€1976).€Ð ìÀ ÐÌà Ø àIn€so€holding,€we€reject€the€rationale€of€òòNorth€v.€Russellóó,€427€U.S.€328,€96Ð œp ÐS.Ct.€2709,€49€L.Ed.2d€534€(1976),€in€which€the€United€States€Supreme€CourtÏconcluded€that€since,€on€appeal,€a€de€novo€trial€before€a€lawyer€was€available,€anÏadult€accused€of€a€misdemeanor€for€which€he€may€be€imprisoned€is€not€deniedÏdue€process€of€law€under€the€federal€constitution€when€he€is€initially€tried€before€aÏnon„attorney€judge.€€In€this€jurisdiction,€an€accused€who€is€tried€and€convicted€of€aÏcriminal€offense€in€a€court€exercising€general€sessions€jurisdiction€has€the€right€toÏa€de€novo€appeal€before€an€attorney€judge€in€either€the€circuit€or€criminal€court.€ÏTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€27„3„131€(1997€Supp.);€€ðð€27„5„108€(1980€Repl.);€Tenn.€R.ÏCrim.€P.€5(c).€€In€our€view,€the€due€process€violation€resulting€from€the€lack€of€anÏattorney€judge€is€not€cured€by€the€statutory€right€to€a€de€novo€appeal.€€As€thisÏCourt€stated€in€òòAnglinóó,€ð ð[w]e€cannot€countenance€and€classify€as€constitutionalÐ ä0¸&* Ðany€procedure€whereby€it€is€necessary€that€a€citizen€stand€two€trials€in€order€toÏget€one€fair€trial.ðð€€òòIdóó.,€589€S.W.2d€at€790.€€In€our€view,€a€person€accused€of€aÐ ”4h*. Ðcriminal€offense€punishable€by€incarceration€is€entitled€to€a€determination€of€hisÏstatus€with€the€full€panoply€of€rights€designed€to€achieve€justice€at€the€earliestÏhearing€on€the€merits.€€It€is€unreasonable€to€require€an€appeal€in€order€to€obtainÏaccess€to€all€the€safeguards€deemed€essential€for€a€fair€trial.€€The€second€hearingÏwill€not€only€re„create€anxiety,€insecurity,€and€strain,€but€is€likely€to€be€timeÏconsuming,€expensive,€and€burdensome€as€well.€€òòAnglinóó,€òòsupraóó;€òòGordonóó,€525€P.2dÐ d8  Ðat€77„78.ÌÌà Ø àWhile€we€are€bound€by€the€interpretation€given€to€the€United€StatesÏConstitution€by€the€Supreme€Court€of€the€United€States,€as€to€TennesseeððsÏConstitution,€we€sit€as€the€court€of€last€resort.€€Although€we€may€not€restrict€theÏprotections€afforded€by€the€federal€constitution,€we€may€interpret€the€TennesseeÏConstitution€to€impose€higher€standards€and€stronger€protections.€€òòMiller€v.€Stateóó,Ð L  Ð584€S.W.2d€758,€760€(Tenn.€1979).€€In€accordance€with€our€authority€andÏresponsibility€as€the€court€of€last€resort€in€this€State,€we€hereby€hold€that€Article€I,ÏSection€8€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€guarantees€to€citizens€of€this€StateÏaccused€of€a€criminal€offense€punishable€by€incarceration€the€right€to€a€trialÏbefore€an€attorney€judge.ÌÌà Ø àBy€so€stating,€we€do€not€hold€that€municipal€or€general€sessions€judgesÏmust€be€licensed€attorneys€to€hold€office€or€to€exercise€other€duties€andÏjurisdiction.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Such€judges€may€still€function€in€civil€cases€and€in€criminal€casesÐ ä0¸&* ÐÑdOÑѰ` ÑѰ, ÑÑ  ÑñŒñÑdOÑѰ` ÑѰ, ÑÑ  ÑñŒññŒñÑdOÑѰ` ÑѰ, ÑÑ  ÑñŒññŒñœÑOYÑѰ, ÑÑ  ÑñŒññŒñœñŒñnotñŒñ›ñŒñ€involving€potential€incarceration.€€Moreover,€even€in€criminal€cases€whereÏincarceration€may€be€imposed,€a€non„attorney€judge€may€act€so€long€as€theÏdefendant€waives€the€due€process€right€to€have€the€proceedings€presided€over€byÏan€attorney€judge.€€òòSeeóó€òòGordonóó,€525€P.2d€at€79;€òòShoemaker€v.€Stateóó,€375€A.2dÐ 8 ˆ Ð431,€442€(Del.€1977);€òòTreiman€v.€Stateóó,€343€So.2d€819,€824€(Fla.€1977).€€TheÐ  ` Ðdefendant€may€voluntarily€relinquish€the€right€to€an€attorney€judge€by€executing€aÏwritten€waiver,€consistent€with€the€provisions€of€Rule€5(c),€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.,Ïgoverning€waivers€of€the€right€to€a€trial€by€jury€and€to€a€grand€jury€investigation.€ÌÌà@..)Ìàòòò òCONCLUSIONó óóóˆÐ H˜ Ðà Ø àApplying€the€foregoing€principles€to€the€facts€of€this€appeal,€we€concludeÏthat,€in€the€absence€of€a€written€waiver€by€a€criminal€defendant€consistent€with€theÏprovisions€of€Rule€5(c),€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€Pro.,€the€non„attorney€municipal€judge€ofÏthe€City€of€White€House€has€no€authority€to€preside€over€trials€of€criminal€offensesÏpunishable€by€incarceration.€€€Accordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€isÏaffirmed.€€The€principles€announced€herein€apply€to€(1)€all€cases€tried€or€retriedÏafter€the€date€of€this€opinion,€and€(2)€to€all€cases€on€appeal€in€which€the€dueÏprocess€issue€has€been€raised€in€the€trial€court€and€preserved€as€a€ground€forÏœappeal.ñŒñÌñŒñ›œñŒñÌñŒñ›ÌñŒñÓÓñŒññŒññŒñœñŒññŒññŒñÌ›€›ÌñŒññŒñ›ñŒññŒñÓÓñŒññŒñ›ñŒñà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 à__________________________________Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àFRANK€F.€DROWOTA,€III,Ìà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àJUSTICEÌÌÌò òCONCUR:ó óÐ 0d+/ ÐÌAnderson,€C.J.ÌBirch,€J.€and€Russell,€Sp.J.ÌñŒñœñŒññŒñÓá}ÓñŒññŒñ›ñŒñÌHolder,€J.€„€Separate€Dissenting€Opinion.Ì