TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Amelia Ferrell Knisely on Feb 3, 2016

Lawmakers on Tuesday debated a bill (SB1618) that would give judges the discretion to determine whether to allow courtroom facility dogs in courtrooms, The Tennessean reports. Bill sponsor Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, said there is currently no state code on the practice, so some judges are hesitant to allow the dogs into their courtrooms. The courtroom facility dogs are used to provide comfort to children who may be apprehensive to testify in court. “Who is losing in that whole process of waiting are the children,” said Marianne Schroer, executive director of Williamson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).