The state high court issued the new order Tuesday.
Author: John North
Updated: 4:39 PM EST December 22, 2020
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — With virus cases reaching record levels in Tennessee, the state's highest court announced Tuesday it was extending its trial suspension order from late January to at least Feb. 26.
The five-member Tennessee Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, also said that starting at the close of business Monday and continuing for a month it would put off most in-person proceedings in state and local courts.
The order allows, however, for hearings that address, among other things, matters of a defendant's constitutional rights, preliminary hearings for those who are in jail, and matters that address relief from abuse such as orders of protection.