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Funk Profiled for Role in Barry Investigation

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 13, 2018
Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk was profiled today by The Tennessean about his role in the investigation and eventual resignation of former Mayor Megan Barry. Funk described his decision to appear in court himself on the day of Barry’s hearing — in which she pleaded guilty to felony theft over $10,000 — by saying he hoped it would provide authority to the deal Barry had struck. He also denied the presence of a conflict of interest in his investigation, saying that his office derives its power from the state government, not the mayor.

Bill Would Allow Parole for Juvenile Murder Convicts

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 13, 2018
A new piece of legislation in Tennessee that would allow juveniles convicted of murder to get a parole hearing after serving 30 years, even if they were given a life sentence, is causing controversy in a community still scarred by a 20-year-old case, the Greeneville Sun reports. Third Judicial District Attorney General Dan Armstrong is leading a charge against the measure, as it could lead to the eventual release of some of the perpetrators of the 1997 Greene County Lillelid murders. In that case, a family was kidnapped and murdered by six young people, two of which were underage.

House Committee Approves In-State Tuition for Immigrants

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 13, 2018
The Tennessee House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee today approved a bill that would grant in-state tuition to undocumented and immigrant students, The Tennessean reports. Last year, the bill failed in the same committee by a 7-6 vote. Gov. Bill Haslam has expressed support for the measure, and even took photos with students who came to the Capitol to rally for the bill’s passage.

Black Has Most Missed Votes of Tennessee Congressional Delegation

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 13, 2018
U.S. Rep. Diane Black, a Sumner County Republican and current candidate for governor of Tennessee, has been absent for 29 of 101 votes at the U.S. House of Representatives this year, making her the least-present member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation. The Tennessean reports that since launching her campaign, Black has missed more than 50 votes, including a recent vote on a bill to fight sex trafficking, an issue she claims to support. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who has been absent the second most times and is also campaigning for a statewide seat, missed 11 votes this year.

ABA President Asks AG Sessions to Keep ATJ Office Open

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 13, 2018
American Bar Association president Hilarie Bass sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking the Department of Justice to keep the doors open at the Office for Access to Justice. “We urge you to make reorganization decisions that assign responsibility and provide adequate funding for the critical programs that preserve access to justice for all Americans – both rich and poor – and demonstrate the Department’s unwavering commitment to this core value and the rule of law,” Bass wrote.

Local Government Forum 2018

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 12, 2018
Join your colleagues from across the state for this year's Local Government Forum on March 22 at the Tennessee Bar Center in Nashville. Open records, open meetings, Tennessee's Clean Water Act and ethics are on the agenda for this program from the TBA's Local Government Section. Speakers will also provide a briefing of this year's legislative updates and best practices and rules for parliamentary procedures. The TBA Local Government Section will also host a pre-game warm-up party with the Nashville Predators following the forum. Tickets are limited so contact Jarod Word for more information today.

Justice Department Moves to Ban Bump Stocks

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 12, 2018
The Department of Justice has taken a first step towards banning bump stocks, hardware that enables guns to fire like automatic weapons, the Associated Press reports. The move would see the DOJ classify bump stocks as a machine gun banned under federal law. President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to work towards a ban after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school last month.

Lebanon Lawyer R. David Allen Dies at 89

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 12, 2018
R. David Allen of Lebanon died on Feb. 23. He was 89. Born in New York City, Allen was a U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veteran who graduated from the Nashville School of Law in 1962. He started his career as the industrial relations manager for TRW’s Ross Gear Division plant, but soon moved on to become assistant district attorney general for the state of Tennessee in 1967. He worked in private practice in Lebanon until his retirement. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Allen's memory to Prospect Inc., 960 Maddox Simpson Pkwy., Lebanon, Tennessee, 37090.

Rutherford County Prosecutor Announces Run for Circuit Court Judge

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 12, 2018
Former Rutherford County prosecutor Nathan Nichols announced he will seek the position of Circuit Court Judge in the May primary, the Murfreesboro Post reports. Nichols is seeking the Republican Party nomination in the primary for the post, which serves Rutherford and Cannon counties.

DOJ Says U.S. Prosecutors Won’t Take on Small-Time Pot Cases

Posted by: Katharine Heriges on Mar 12, 2018
Despite the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to lift a policy that discouraged federal authorities from cracking down on pot in legalized states, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said federal prosecutors won’t be taking on small-time marijuana cases, the Associated Press reports. Federal law enforcement will remain focused on larger cases and drug gangs. The Trump administration has taken a tougher line on drugs than previous administrations, with President Trump suggesting the death penalty for drug dealers at a recent rally.
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