A 2004 study of Rutherford County’s juvenile detention policies found that the county was incarcerating too many children for minor misdemeanor offenses, including truancy and school fights. It recommended that the county pursue alternatives, such as providing shelter beds in rooms without bars for runaways and others facing minor charges. The study, conducted by a consultant, had input from officials, including Judge Donna Scott Davenport, but its recommendations ultimately were ignored, the Tennessean reports. In fact, records show that county commissioners voted twice to reject its recommendations. Observers now say the county could have saved itself millions of dollars in payments to victims had it paid more attention to the study.

Brentwood attorney Connie Reguli was sentenced to probation and jail on Friday following her conviction earlier this year in a 2018 case that saw a missing child recovered from her home. According to the Nashville Post, Reguli was sentenced to two years of supervised probation and 30 days in the Williamson County Jail for her two felony convictions. She also received 11 months and 29 days of a suspended sentence after 30 days served for the misdemeanor charge, all of which will run concurrently. Reguli remains free on bond and will have a motions hearing in August for a new trial that she is seeking, as she previously said that she will appeal her conviction. Reguli remains suspended from the practice of law while the Board of Professional Responsibility determines final action on her case.

Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk vowed not to prosecute abortion-related cases after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last week, the Tennessean reports. Funk said in a news release that despite the court's decision, he would not “prosecute any woman who chooses to have a medical procedure to terminate a pregnancy or any medical doctor who performs this procedure at the request of their patient.” Two years ago, he made the same commitment after the state legislature passed a law requiring doctors to share certain information about medication abortions. On the national level, Attorney General Merrick Garland criticized the ruling but said the Justice Department will protect the right to seek abortions across state lines. He also warned states against outlawing the shipment of abortion pills into their jurisdiction and urged Congress to codify abortion rights in law. Bloomberg Law has more on his comments.

The annual TBA Elder Law Forum is just a couple of weeks away! This year's program will focus on essentials such as conservatorship alternatives, Medicaid planning, VA benefits, special needs trusts and ethics. The event will take place in person at the downtown branch of the Nashville Public Library. Breakfast will be provided to all attendees, with Elder Law Section members invited to attend a luncheon to welcome new section chair Karl Warden. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top experts and to meet with colleagues from across the state at the first in-person Elder Law Forum in two years. Register now to attend the July 15 program.

The TBA is hosting a new book club that will meet quarterly over the next 12 months, and we want your input in choosing the first book. The first series of books involves a theme of racial relations and disparities through personal, societal and legal perspectives. We have created a webpage featuring three suggested books to kick off this initiative. Learn more and vote on the first book by July 11, then watch for more details to participate in this virtual book club.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday it is banning the sale of tobacco- and menthol-flavored pods made by Juul for its vaping devices. The ban is part of the FDA’s broader review of the vaping industry following years of pressure from politicians and public health groups to regulate the segment as strictly as other tobacco products after vaping became more common among high schoolers, Reuters reports. Juul announced today it has asked a federal appeals court to temporarily block the FDA order. Observers say the FDA move likely will hurt Juul’s defense as it faces lawsuits from a dozen states and Washington over allegations that it marketed its products to minors and played a major role in the vaping epidemic. In 2020, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III joined a multistate investigation of JUUL Labs’ marketing and sales practices.

The 2022 Equal Justice University will be held Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. Registration is now open for the conference, which will include 30+ learning sessions, basic skills sessions for those new to specific practice areas or who want to refresh their knowledge base, networking opportunities and presentation of the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Service’s Access to Justice Awards. Get hotel details here.

Nashville Metro Council will vote July 5 on an agreement to host the 2024 Republican National Convention, according to At-Large Council Member Bob Mendes. It will be the first of three required readings for approval. Milwaukee, the other finalist vying to host the convention, approved its agreement on June 1. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. submitted a bid to host the convention on Dec. 8, at the request of Gov. Bill Lee. The Nashville Business Journal looks at the issues at stake.

The Shelby County Election Commission has withdrawn its lawsuit against Shelby County Government, according to Linda Phillips, administrator of elections. The withdrawal comes after the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, whose members were sued, voted to fund new voting machines for the November election. The end of the lawsuit and the upcoming purchase of new voting machines ends a years-long standoff between the majority-Democrat County Commission, which prefers hand-marked paper ballots, and the majority-Republican Election Commission, which prefers ballot-marking devices. The two bodies have clashed in public and private over which method is most cost-effective, least susceptible to hacking and easier to audit, the Commercial Appeal reports.

Former Republican state representative Sheila Butt, now a candidate for Maury County mayor, has been sued for defamation of character by another mayoral candidate, Tennessee Lookout reports. David Baker, a minister and former volunteer chaplain at the Maury County Jail, filed suit Wednesday, alleging Butt defamed him through text messages, knowing the allegations were false. Baker’s attorney submitted as evidence a screenshot of a message allegedly sent by Butt that insinuates Baker was involved in “something about fraud and a man committing suicide.” He argues that the messages damaged Baker’s reputation and standing in the community. Baker and Butt, along with former Maury County Mayor Charlie Norman, are running to replace Mayor Andy Ogles, who is running for the Fifth Congressional District seat.