A push to crack down on juvenile crime in Shelby County is creating a dispute between District Attorney Steve Mulroy and Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, WREG reports. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, juvenile crime in the state has gone down in the last decade, but in Memphis, the results are mixed. The Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission says serious juvenile charges are down 8.3% this year, but overall, juvenile charges are up nearly 31%. Sexton is calling on Mulroy to do more. WATE reports that Sexton even floated the idea of impeachment when reporters asked him about the possibility last week, though he acknowledged it would be a high bar given the discretion attorneys general have in deciding prosecutorial priorities.

The U.S. Supreme Court has barred two Texas-based manufacturers from selling products that can be converted into so-called "ghost guns" unless they comply with new federal requirements, National Public Radio reports. Last year, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued regulations that required any disassembled gun parts to carry serial numbers and required anyone buying them to pass a background check. Manufacturers challenged the regulations in court, and federal Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas issued a nationwide injunction. The court’s action voids the lower court order and a decision upholding the order from the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, allowing the regulations to go into effect pending further litigation.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is investigating an "apparent suicide attempt" of an inmate at the Shelby County Division of Corrections, the Commercial Appeal reports. According to the sheriff’s office, 41-year-old Terrence Boyd was "reportedly found hanging in a cell.” Boyd was taken to Baptist Memphis Hospital in critical condition last Thursday and died Saturday morning. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy was notified of the event and requested the sheriff investigate the incident. Unlike area jails, the sheriff’s office does not operate this facility.

The Arts & Business Council's Volunteer Lawyers and Professionals for the Arts is joining the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings to provide free legal services for nonprofits and Black-owned small businesses in Nashville this Friday. Advice will cover business formation, corporate governance, contracts and navigating local ordinances and state regulations. Eligible entities may receive up to one hour of assistance. Clients should sign up online. Attorneys should email vlpa@abcnashville.org to volunteer.

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has released new data showing that the recidivism rate for offenders released from its facilities is now at the lowest level in more than a decade. And for the first time, the department reports that the recidivism rate has dropped below 30%. TDOC measures recidivism by criminal acts that result in rearrest, reconviction or a return to prison within a three-year period after release. Commissioner Frank Strada credits standardization of offender supervision and use of graduated sanctions, as well as the valuable work of private, nonprofit and community organizations.

Migrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border under then-President Donald Trump will receive temporary legal status and other benefits, according to a summary of a settlement agreement filed today. Reuters reports that the agreement applies to some 3,900 children separated from their parents. The ACLU represented separated families in a lawsuit first filed in 2018. The agreement also bars similar separations in the future according to reports.

The Lawyers' Association for Women Marion Griffin Chapter will hold its New Admittee Breakfast on Nov. 7 from 7:15-9 a.m. CST. The event will be held at the Music City Center, Grand Ballroom C, 201 Rep. John Lewis Way, S., Nashville 37203. This year’s keynote speaker will be Magistrate Judge Alistair E. Newbern of the Middle District of Tennessee. For 47 years, the breakfast has been recognized as a signature event in the Middle Tennessee legal community. It is attended by more than 300 new admittees, judges, local bar dignitaries and attorneys. The event is free to new admittees. RSVP online by Nov. 2.

The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday suspended Roane County lawyer Eric John Montierth from the practice of law for two years, with 18 months to be served on active suspension —retroactive to Sept. 23, 2022 — and the remainder on probation. The suspension is conditioned on Montierth incurring no new complaints of misconduct related to the disciplined conduct, engagement of a practice monitor, and evaluation by the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program. The court found that Montierth failed to (1) communicate with clients adequately about closing his practice, (2) transition his clients to other lawyers, and (3) refund unearned fees. Montierth agreed to a conditional guilty plea acknowledging his conduct violated Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.16, 3.4, 8.1(b) 8.4(a) and 8.4(d).

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order Monday designed to resolve a discrepancy between the word limitation provisions of Tenn. R. App. P. 30(e) and its own rules. The order amends Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 46, sec. 3.02(a)(1) to comport with the provisions of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendment took effect upon filing of the order.

Make plans now to join the TBA for a webcast on Nov. 9 about the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be deployed to provide the alternative resolution dispute community more value at less risk for clients. The one-hour session "Harnessing the Power of AI for Dispute Resolution ... Responsibly" will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST.