Celeste Murphy, the former police chief of the Chattanooga Police Department faces felony and misdemeanor criminal charges following an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Chattanoogan.com reports. The arrest comes one day after Murphy stepped down from her role. TBI agents began investigating Murphy’s residency in April. This week, the Hamilton County Grand Jury returned a 17-count indictment, charging her with one count of illegal voter registration, one count of false entries on official registration or election documents, three counts of false entries in governmental records, three counts of forgery, three counts of perjury, and six counts of official misconduct. She was released on a $19,000 bond after booking.

Three parents have filed a class action lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) in conjunction with Disability Rights Tennessee, the Daily Memphian reports. The complaint alleges that children and youth with disabilities at the Wilder Youth Development Center and other DCS facilities across Tennessee are denied adequate education, spend long periods in confinement, are given inadequate mental health treatment, are overprescribed medicine, and are not given appropriate medical care. The suit also alleges that confined youth are exposed to dangerous conditions like mold, bugs and violence from peers. Youth in facilities other than Wilder also are punished with pepper spray, and officers often encourage peer-on-peer violence with rewards, according to the filing. In other reporting, the Nashville Banner says the suit alleges youth are subjected to "horrific experiences." The class action was filed yesterday in U.S. District Court’s Middle District of Tennessee. It also names the state, DCS Commissioner Margie Quin and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds as defendants.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is out with a new episode of Tennessee Court Talk featuring Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge Steve Stafford discussing the difference between being impartial and understanding tough situations. Tune in to hear AOC Digital Media Lead Nick Morgan interview Stafford about the role of the appellate courts and how judges balance the interests that come before them, especially when cases are personal or involve difficult situations. Access Episode 32: Humanizing the Bench here.

Registration is now open for the next free advice clinic for Black-owned small businesses and nonprofits, set for July 19 in Nashville. The clinic, sponsored by the Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts and Bradley, provides assistance with business formation and corporate governance, review of contracts and guidance in navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Prospective clients should register by July 15. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

Bradley County Juvenile Court recently hosted its 14th Junior Master Gardening graduation ceremony with 12 new graduates of the program, Chattanoogan.com reports. The program, overseen by General Sessions Judge Andrew B. Morgan, provides a positive learning experience for youth to develop leadership, responsibility and community pride through organized gardening activities. The court initiated the program in 2013 and has since graduated 159 graduates with only 16 individuals reoffending. “I’ve always believed the best way to ensure sustainability is through hard work,” Morgan says. “These kids have learned valuable skills and have been mentored by some amazing volunteers who have shared both knowledge and a caring heart over the past several weeks.”

Sevier County native Keith Cole will be sworn in as the county’s newest general sessions judge on July 1. He was appointed by the Sevier County Board of Commissioners on Monday to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Jeff Rader earlier this month, WATE reports. Cole will serve until a special election is held in 2026. “I am deeply honored by the trust the Sevier County Board of Commissioners has placed in me. I look forward to tackling the challenges that come with this position and promise to do my absolute best for the people of Sevier County,” Cole said. Cole is a 2013 graduate of Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law. He has worked as assistant district attorney in the Fourth Judicial District Attorney General's Office since 2014.

Cynthia “Cyndi” Fields Davis of Pikeville died June 24 at the age of 55. Davis was an attorney in private practice in Crossville. She earned her law degree from the Nashville School of Law. A celebration of life was held in Pikeville. Burial followed at the Blankenship Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.pikevillefuneralhome.com.

A news item in yesterday's issue of TBA Today inadvertently omitted the docket number to be cited when filing a comment about a proposed amendment to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, section 10.1. Comments should be submitted by July 26 and should reference docket number ADM2024-00922. Comments may be emailed to Appellate Court Clerk James Hivner or mailed to 100 Supreme Court Building, 401 7th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37219.

Back by popular demand, the TBA is returning to Cuba Feb. 6-10, 2025! This uniquely designed program will explore Cuba’s rich and varied cultural heritage and feature local scholars, attorneys and entrepreneurs, all while providing six hours of CLE credit. Activities include an Ernest Hemingway tour, tour of Cuba’s classic cars, visit to the Museum of Cuban Art and more! Get trip details and instructions for registering.

The Tennessee Supreme Court today conditioned reinstatement of Davidson County lawyer Wendy Sue O’Neill on her completion of continuing legal education requirements. O’Neill petitioned the court for reinstatement on June 20. The court indicated that if the requirements are not met by Aug. 12, then the reinstatement petition will be dismissed.