Since the COVID-19 outbreak last spring, Benton County courts have been operating under the guidelines of the Tennessee Supreme Court (TSC), which have required that courts not meet in-person except under certain emergency circumstances. The courts have been operating mostly by electronic means such as video arraignment and Zoom, except for emergency cases that have been heard in person, such as an order of protection or emergency custody of children.
As of Monday, March 15, Benton County Circuit Court, General Sessions Court, and Juvenile Court have resumed in-person court procedures under new guidelines from TSC. Anyone attending court or the Court Clerks Office must wear a facemask and practice social distancing according to TSC guidelines. Even individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must still adhere to these rules.
If you are sick or have a high fever and you are scheduled to come to court, you will need to seek medical care and provide proof to the court that you are under doctor’s care if you have a case pending in court at that time. If you have any questions about upcoming court dates or COVID-19 guidelines for court, please contact the office of Circuit Court Clerk Sam Rainwaters at 731-584-6711.
