Warning that crime in Shelby County is at a “crisis point,” state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, has asked Tennessee Attorney General Jonathon Skrmetti for a legal opinion on possible ways to speed cases through the justice system. The Tennessee Journal reports that, according to Taylor, there are 300 pending murder trials in the county, with more being added each day. In his letter to Skrmetti, Taylor writes that Shelby County Criminal Court judges have tried only 40 criminal jury trials in 2023 compared to some 200 per year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taylor also notes that former Memphis mayor Jim Strickland and District Attorney Steve Mulroy have called for action.

Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy’s office has released its annual report, which states that the office handled 87,206 cases with an average caseload of 498 per prosecutor during Mulroy's first year in office, from Sept. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023. “To say that that first year was a challenging one would be an understatement,” Mulroy said. “In my first week alone, we had the heartbreaking case of Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping and murder followed in the same week by the Facebook Live shooting spree that led to the prosecution of Ezekiel Kelly.” The report covers Mulroy's violent crime initiative, the creation of the Justice Review Unit, the office's efforts in data collection and the expansion of its restorative justice program. The Daily Memphian has the story.

Clarksville lawyer Kevin C. Kennedy of The Kennedy Law Firm recently received a Golden Gavel Award at the National Trial Lawyers Summit, which was held in Miami, Florida. Kennedy received the award for his legal internship program. For decades, The Kennedy Law Firm has provided a legal internship program that has allowed high school, college and law school students to experience the real-life practice of law. Participants in the program also hear each year from area judges, who share their experiences and how they achieved their positions on the bench.

The state got the green light this month for a $3.1 million project to install special bullet and riot resistant laminate film on the windows of eight state government buildings in Nashville, The Tennessee Journal reports. Approval from the General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee came after the Department of General Services addressed concerns raised by lawmakers over a proposed no-bid contract. State officials said the vendor selected was the only one that could provide the product with the highest degree of security.

Lisa Ramsay Cole, president and managing shareholder of Lewis Thomason, and managing partner of the firm’s Nashville office, has been appointed vice chair of ALFA International’s managing partner forum. According to a press release from the law firm, the forum provides an opportunity for managing partners in ALFA’s various law firms around the world to share best practices, ask questions regarding common issues, and use each other for benchmarking. Three firms with offices in Tennessee are members of ALFA International: Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC, Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan PLLC and Lewis Thomason.

The TBA's Tax Law Section will present its annual forum on Feb. 1, live in Knoxville with viewing sites in Nashville and Chattanooga. Make plans now to gather with colleagues at the Nashville offices of Lewis Thomason to join the livestream. This year's program will focus on the tax implications of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) new policy on name, image and likeness (NIL) activities. E. Michael Brezina, a Knoxville attorney and law professor who also co-founded Next Level Athletics and Varsity Sports Group, will lead this fascinating discussion. Can't make it to Nashville? Check out opportunities for joining from the Olsen Law Firm in Chattanooga.

Two new abortion-related bills have been filed in the state House. According to the Tennessean, Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, have introduced HB 1663/SB1834, which would allow juries to impose the death penalty on adults convicted of raping a child under 12, with certain aggravating factors. The paper reports that the bill passed a first legislative hurdle in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by voice vote. In addition, Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, filed HB1895 to establish an "abortion trafficking" felony for adults who help pregnant minors get an out-of-state abortion without parental permission. The legislation would establish a new Class C felony and carry three to 15 years in prison for an adult that "recruits, harbors or transports" a pregnant minor for the purposes of receiving an out-of-state abortion or for getting abortion medication. According to reporting by the Tennessean, parents or legal guardians would be exempt. The legislation also provides for a civil action against a person committing the offense of abortion trafficking of a minor for the wrongful death of an unborn child if the abortion takes place. A similar law in Idaho recently was blocked temporarily by a federal judge. That legislation needs a Senate sponsor before it can advance.

The Office of the Attorney General yesterday released a number of winter storm scam prevention tips for Tennesseans, including being aware of utility imposters, researching vehicle repair options and hiring only licensed contractors. Read the prevention tips and visit the Division of Consumer Affairs website for more information. State residents also can sign up for consumer alerts and learn more about scam reporting via the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website.

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has launched Community Classroom, an online source of information covering a wide range of civil legal issues. Community Classroom contains more than 50 downloadable booklets explaining legal rights and offering self-help advice on various legal matters. All the information is presented at a fifth-grade reading level that presents legal concepts in plain, easily understandable language. Some booklets are available in Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Thai, Russian and Vietnamese. Read more about the project.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis will serve in an interim role following a vote to table her confirmation at a Memphis City Council meeting, reports the Commercial Appeal. Memphis Mayor Paul Young suggested to the council that Davis serve in an interim role to see what impact she can have on crime, police policy and community engagement before bringing the confirmation vote to the floor. Young said the timeline for that vote would up to the city council. Davis' confirmation hearing on Jan. 9 saw multiple council members questioning her record on fighting crime and enforcing reforms passed by the council as well as her ability to lead the department.