Nashville domestic violence court delays force judges to take action

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — That’s an alarmingly high number.

According to Nashville Metro Police, there were at least 8587 victims of domestic violence so far this year.

Justice after such a terrible crime is very important. However, this can be a very slow process.

Due to the volume of cases, Davidson County General Sessions Court judges decided to add a third domestic violence case and a fourth judge to preside over those cases starting in 2025.

“It’s gotten to the point where we have to do something in the interest of public safety and the best interests of everyone,” Judge Allegra Walker-Burdine said.

Judge Allegra Walker-Burdine is the presiding judge and one of three judges assigned to the Domestic Violence Court. Judges alternate hearing two domestic violence cases. One is bail hearings and initial appearances, the other is jail hearings and protective orders.

The new structure will place protective orders on an independent list. Right now, if a legal dispute were to arise, these cases could support prison hearings. About 4,000 cases of protection orders are registered annually.

“We will increase the efficiency of processing our cases. We will give people additional access to cases so we can look at more cases. We will be able to control the security in the courtroom so that it is not always so crowded and contentious. Bring the accused to justice. “Of course, and also to protect the entire Nashville community,” Judge Walker-Burdine said.

Just last month Metro Council Public Health and Safety Committee Focuses on Domestic Violence. They figured out how to keep more offenders away from their victims and give them consequences for their actions. There’s so much at stake. Nearly half of all crimes in the county involve domestic violence.

If you need immediate assistance with the protective order process, a Metro Family Safety Center attorney can help. You can find them at 610 Murfreesboro Pike, next to Metro Police Headquarters.

Do you have more information about this story? You can write to me at [email protected].

She carries on her husband’s legacy to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

I am so inspired by Sheila Gunn’s love for her husband and her resilience. Anyone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease knows how cruel the disease is—not only to the patient, but to those who love and care for them. Mike and Sheila clearly had a wonderful love story and now she honors it in the most beautiful way. Thanks to Forrest Sanders for sharing his story.

-Carrie Sharp