HB2251

Establishes a pilot project to create criminal magistrate positions in Tennessee's ten highest caseload counties.

The bill creates a pilot project to establish criminal magistrate positions in the ten Tennessee counties with the highest judicial caseloads, as determined by the comptroller of the treasury. These magistrates will handle arraignments, initial appearances, pleas, and other duties. The administrative office of the courts must notify eligible counties by December 1, 2026, and the legislative body of each county may create the position by ordinance. Magistrates will serve four-year terms and can be removed by a majority vote of the county's judges. The act takes effect upon becoming law.