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ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More CLEANER AND SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS SHELBY COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL COURT REPORT CODE VIOLATION SEARCH YOUR CASE The Shelby County Environmental Court hears approximately 1,200 environmental cases and 4,000 traffic cases per month. ABOUT JUDGE DANDRIDGE ABOUT THE COURT COURT CASES COMMUNITY COURTS PROPERTIES ELIGILBLE FOR RECEIVESHIP PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM RESOURCES & AGENCY DIRECTORY TRAFFIC NEWS & MEDIA How to Join Our Partnership Program? Learn how you or your organization can help make Shelby County safe and clean. How to Become A Receiver Learn how to become a receiver today. Environmental Court 201 A virtual session to connect with community groups currently reshaping Shelby County. Watch Zoom Event View More

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More COURT PLANNING An Environmental Court Planning Guide for Local Officials, Legal Professionals and Community Educators Developed by Keep America Beautiful, Inc. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL COURTS Keep America Beautiful's (KAB) role in the area of environmental courts is a direct result of our community affiliates long-standing involvement in local efforts to reduce litter and improve community waste handling practices. For many affiliates, the efforts have included the review and/or revision of litter and solid waste ordinances in cooperation with their local governments. In 1978, the nation's first environmental court was established in Indianapolis, Indiana. An ordinance review by the Indianapolis Clean City Commission provided the catalyst for its formation. After discovering city inspectors reported a daily average of 45 violations in the city's waste management and environmental codes, the committee recognized the need for a special court to hear environmental cases. Armed with the facts, the Indianapolis affiliate proposed the concept of the new court to Mayor William Hudnut, who, in turn, urged the establishment of an environmental court. On July 11, 1978, the court was formally organized with The Honorable David Jester appointed as the court's first judge. His main focus was to change people's attitudes and behaviors. His sanctions included standardized "probation" requiring the defendant to work with the inspectors to correct the situation, and fines imposed for uncorrected violations. Judge Jester also made certain that the penalty reflected the offense and the offender. Today 25 communities have environmental courts. Their dockets are reserved exclusively for violations of local health, safety, housing, building, fire, solid waste and litter ordinances. As more environmental cases are prosecuted, greater compliance with local laws is realized, resulting in a safer and cleaner community. Many of these courts are modeled after the Memphis/ Shelby County (TN) Division 14 Environmental Court. This model court was organized in 1983 by city officials and the Memphis City Beautiful Commission, the city's local KAB affiliate. Similar courts have since been adopted in other Tennessee metropolitan areas including Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Jackson with help from their local KAB affiliates, court officials, and the state's Clean Tennessee program. The Honorable Larry Potter, presiding judge of the Memphis/ Shelby County Division 14 Environmental Court recommended that Keep America Beautiful, Inc. identify and bring together environmental court judges to establish a resource group to further the environmental court concept. In 1991, a survey of KAB community affiliates on illegal dumping illustrated that this violation can be addressed effectively through an environmental court. Three quarters of the affiliates responding believed that illegal dumping of trash, yard waste, and construction or demolition debris was a major problem in their community. Further, fifty-three percent believed that illegal dumping was increasing. Keep America Beautiful initiative to create a national resource on environmental courts for all communities motivated by the benefits and environmental safeguards that these courts are now providing to American communities. HOW TO ESTABLISH YOUR COURT Creating an environmental court in your community requires research, planning, organizing meetings, and the involvement of municipal agencies and the local court system. Perhaps the single most important factor in motivating the community to create a new environmental court is your ability to demonstrate the need and the benefits that existing courts are returning to citizens and the environment. Research the Facts... Learn which local agencies enforce codes that are of interest to an environmental court. Areas can include building, fire, safety, public health, housing, solid waste, and environmental codes. Ask each agency for help in determining the number of violations that its inspectors report on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. Contact the prosecutor's office or clerk of the court at the court of general jurisdiction to learn how many cases are heard annually and how many could be prosecuted by an environmental court. Determine the feasibility of establishing a court specifically designated for environmental matters, staffed by a non-rotating judge or a specialized docket of the general jurisdiction court. Involve the People... Write the persons at each agency, department, civic organization or court that would be involved in the court's formation. This would also include the mayor, council members, presiding judge, administrative clerk of the court, city or county attorney, county board, and other influential community leaders. Hold an informational meeting to explain the concept and gain consensus on the need for the court. Show KAB's Environmental Court video. Learn the location of the nearest environmental court. Consider sending a representative from the group to observe the court in action. (Contact KAB for a listing of the affiliate communities which have courts.) Plan Systematically... Collect copies of all applicable ordinances to define the jurisdiction of a new environmental court. Determine if the ordinances require revisions to strengthen enforcement or penalties. Set the court's guidelines Determine the method required for the formal organization of a court and plan the steps for filing all documentation. Identify potential judges who may serve on the court. Determine budgetary considerations that have to be addressed—additional personnel and operating costs. Legislation and ordinances, if required, must be written and passed by the governing body of the jurisdiction served by the court. Guidelines for sanctions, such as fines, community service, or jail stay, must be determined. A system for channeling cases to the environmental court must be specified. Everyone involved with the new court, including court reporter, clerk, and attorneys, must be trained or oriented on the environmental court and its objectives. Focus on Results... Hold periodic meetings of the organizing group to gather and distribute information about the new court's activities. Encourage the court to conduct training sessions for agency inspectors on how to prepare stronger cases for prosecution. Provide the environmental court judge with information about KAB and the American Bar Association's network of environmental court judges. Provide Reinforcement... Hold a press conference to announce the court's formation. Conduct a public awareness program to educate citizens about the court. Emphasize its major function is to change attitudes about waste handling and environmental or health concerns, and not necessarily to levy fines or penalties. Monitor the number of cases filed, the time between filing and action, and any attitude and behavior change. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. has identified over 35 environmental court judges in 25 communities who can assist you and your community in establishing an environmental court. Many of' these judges can serve as mentors or speakers to provide assistance and guidance to your new environmental court judge(s). The American Bar Association has established a specialty committee for environmental court judges. The Honorable Larry Potter and the Honorable Merideth Wright, a Vermont state environmental judge, are co-chairs of the committee. Please contact KAB at: 203-323-8987 to obtain a listing of environmental court judges. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following persons in reviewing this document: Susan Gambacurta, Director, Montgomery Clean City Commission, AL The Honorable Penny Harrington, Nashville General Sessions, TN Bob Haskins, Coordinator, Keep Mobile Beautiful, AL Edith Heller, State Coordinator, Clean Tennessee The Honorable William Huntley, Mobile, AL The Honorable Larry Potter, Shelby County Division 14, TN The Honorable Walter Williams, Chattanooga City Judge, TN Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB), founded in 1953, is a national, not for profit education organization dedicated to improving waste handling practices at the community level and preserving the natural beauty and environment of America. Through its 500 local affiliates in 41 states, KAB is building partnerships with volunteer organizations, government agencies, and the private sector to improve the quality of life in American communities. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. 1010 Washington Blvd. Stanford, CT 06901-2202 Phone: (203) 323-8987 Fax: (203) 325-9199 Community Courts Meeting Throughout the city every Thursday afternoon. 1st Thursday (Crosstown) 2nd Thursday Hickory Hill Community Center Orange Mound Community Center 3rd Thursday Raleigh Town Center 4th Thursday Pinehill Community Center

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More ENABLING LEGISLATION

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More ABOUT THE JUDGE Judge Patrick Dandridge presides over the Shelby County Environmental Court, General Sessions Criminal Court Division 14. The Shelby County Board of Commissioners appointed him on April 2, 2018, he was subsequently elected on August 2, 2018, and again re-elected on August 4, 2022, as the second Shelby County Environmental Court judge. Before his election, he was recommended and endorsed by his predecessor, Judge Larry E. Potter, who assisted in creating the Shelby County Environmental Court and served as judge for over 35 years. Before serving on the bench, Judge Dandridge addressed blight and other environmental concerns for the City of Memphis for over 18 years. He served as the City of Memphis Assistant City Attorney for 15 years and most recently as the City of Memphis Code Enforcement Department Director from January 2016 – April 2018. ​ ​Judge Dandridge was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a 1983 graduate of Central High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Georgetown University in 1987 and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center in 1991. Judge Dandridge later earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Christian Brothers University in 2012. Judge Dandridge is a member of the Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and National Bar Association, Ben F. Jones Chapter. Judge Dandridge is licensed to practice law in both the states of Tennessee and Pennsylvania. ​ ​Judge Dandridge has a demonstrated passion for our community and the environment. ​ Patrick M. Dandridge Judge General Sessions Criminal Court Division XIV Address Walter L. Bailey, Jr. Criminal Justice Center 201 Poplar Ave., 10th floor Memphis, TN 38103

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More ENVIRONMENTAL COURT RULES RULES REGULATING PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF THE SHELBY COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL COURT Rule I SCOPE AND PURPOSE These rules shall govern the practice and procedures in the Shelby County Environmental Court. In cases where this Court shares concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit and Chancery Court, the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure shall also apply. The Tennessee Rules of Evidence shall be applicable in all cases. The rules are intended to provide for the speedy, consistent, and just determination of every proceeding in Environmental Court. In the event of any apparent conflict in the procedural rules, the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure shall prevail where applicable. Rule II COURTROOM DECORUM The following standards of courtroom decorum and procedure shall be maintained: (a) The Judge and Referees shall wear judicial robes during sessions of the court, except when, in the discretion of the Judge, a matter before the Court is of such a nature as justifies an informal hearing. (b) All persons in the Courtroom will stand while the Court is being opened and also while the Court is being adjourned. (c) All persons shall rise at all times when addressing the Court. (d) All orders, judgments, and decrees will be handed to the Court through the Court’s attendants, and lawyers will not approach the bench from the bar except when directed by the Judge. (e) There will be no smoking or chewing of gum in the Courtroom. (f) All lawyers and Court attendants will be appropriately dressed while in Court attendance. (g) The Bailiff in attendance will be charged with the responsibility of requiring compliance with these standards of Courtroom conduct and deportment. Rule III OPENING AND ADJOURNMENT OF COURT ​ Upon the Judge or Referee entering the Courtroom preparatory to the formal opening of Court, the Bailiff will call the Courtroom to order, directing all in attendance before the Court to stand and will open Court in substantially the manner following: "Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye. This Honorable Shelby County Environmental Court is now open for the transaction of business pursuant to adjournment; all persons having business before this Court draw near, give attention, and you shall be heard. The Honorable Judge/Referee__________ presiding. You may be seated." ​ There upon the Judge or Referee will take the seat upon the bench and those in the Courtroom will be seated. ​ Upon the Court instructing the Bailiff to adjourn Court for the day, the Bailiff will direct all in attendance before the Court or in the Courtroom to stand, as will the Judge, and will adjourn Court in substantially the manner following: ​ "This Court now stands adjourned until tomorrow morning at ____ o'clock." (or until a day certain) ​ Rule IV SESSIONS The Shelby County Environmental Court shall convene at 9am daily except, Saturdays, Sundays, and government observed holidays. Only the Judge may authorize exceptions to this schedule. Unless the Judge directs otherwise, any case in which the Court has jurisdiction may be heard in the first instance by a Referee. Rule V OFFICE HOURS The office of the Clerk of Court shall be open for the regular transaction of business from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. except on non-judicial days. ​ Rule VI PLEADINGS All written pleadings, orders and judgments shall be on letter-sized paper and backed with the style of the cause. Each attorney, whether for the plaintiff or defendant, shall place his/her name, telephone number, and Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility registration number on the jacket and on all pleadings of each case in which he/she is an attorney. Rule VII MOTION HEARINGS/TRIAL DATES ​ All motions shall be filed with the General Sessions Criminal Court Clerks’ Office and a separate copy provided to the parties and the Judge in chambers. All motions and trial dates and times shall be specifically set by the Judge. Rule VIII ATTORNEYS A litigant, unless representing himself, must be represented by an attorney at law who holds a Tennessee law license. Out of state attorneys who are not licensed in this state, must associate local counsel in order to practice in this Court. All attorneys licensed to practice law in Tennessee shall be allowed to appear in any matter coming before the Court. Every party to a proceeding who wishes to employ an attorney shall be given an opportunity to do so. The Court will appoint an attorney to represent any defendant who has a constitutional right to counsel and who is determined by the Court to be indigent. Attorneys shall enter an appearance in a case in which they represent a party as counsel of record or have been appointed by the Court. Entering an appearance may be made by filing a pleading on behalf of a party, filing a formal notice of appearance or a written form notice filed with the Clerk and the attorney must sign the jacket when counsel first appears before the Court. Attorneys of record shall represent the party throughout the proceedings until the case has been concluded or counsel has been allowed to withdraw by Court order upon written motion. Rule IX REFEREES The Judge may direct that any case or class of cases shall be heard in the first instance by the Referee in all cases wherein the Division XIV Court has jurisdiction. A Referee has the same authority as a trial judge to issue any and all process. The Referee in the conduct of proceedings has the power of a trial judge. Rule X REHEARINGS Any party may, within five (5) days after a case is heard by a Referee, excluding non-judicial days, file a request with the Court for a hearing by the Judge of Division XIV. The Judge may, on the Judge’s own motion, order a rehearing of any matter heard before a Referee, and shall allow a hearing if a request for such hearing is filed as herein prescribed. Unless the Judge orders otherwise, the recommendation of the Referee shall be the decree of the Court pending hearing. Rule XI CONDUCT OF TRIALS Proceedings in this Court shall be open to the general public. And no person within, without, or in the vicinity of the Environmental Court shall accost, solicit, or interfere in any way with any person on or about the premises of the Court or otherwise engage in any conduct which may tend to interrupt, disturb, or hinder the orderly conduct of the Court's business. Rule XII DISCOVERY The Court may allow discovery upon written motion by either party, being timely filed, and upon good cause shown. Any party may object to discovery by filing a response promptly after the filing of such motion. Failure to respond to a motion for discovery shall be considered consent to such motion. Discovery may then be allowed under such terms and conditions as the Court may prescribe. RULE XIII APPEALS An appeal of the Court’s disposition may be perfected by filing a notice of appeal in the General Sessions Clerk's office by the Court within ten (10) days, excluding nonjudicial days, of the final disposition. ​ The appeal period shall commence the day after the order of disposition is entered. All matters where the Court has concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit or Chancery Courts may be appealed to the Court of Appeals within 30 days of the entry of the final disposition order. Any final orders or judgments in the following proceedings may be appealed to the Circuit Court: (a) Shelby County Traffic (b) Memphis Housing (c) Animal Cases (d) Fire (e) Litter/Illegal Dumping (f) Health Department (g) County Code Any final orders or judgments in the following proceedings may be appealed to the Criminal Court: (a) Hunting/Fishing (b) Criminal Littering (c) Highway Patrol Cases (d) Criminal animal Cases. Any final orders or judgments in the following proceedings may be appealed to the Court of Ap​peals : (a) Public Nuisance (b) Neighborhood Preservation Act. ​ Rule XIV ​ ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ​ Prior to trial, the parties shall have the opportunity to fashion a resolution offered at no cost to the parties by the Shelby County Environmental Court during a Judicial Settlement Conference. Judicial Settlement Conferences can be requested by either party. ​ R ule XV NEIGHBORHOOD PERSEVERATION ACT (RECEIVERSHIP PROCEDURES) a) All persons, groups, businesses, or organization shall make application to the Court to be a Receiver as defined in Tenn. Code. Ann. § 13-6-102. b) Receiver means any certified person appointed by the Court for the purposes of preserving or improving the subject parcel as defined in Tenn. Code. Ann. 13-6-102. c) The Receiver shall complete the application made available on the Shelby County Environmental Court website. d) The Court will review the applications for the best Receiver for a particular property. The Court will consider capacity, ties to the property, and relationship to the community to determine the best Receiver. This is a case-by-case determination, and completely within the discretion of the Court. e) Upon completion of the work, the Receiver shall request the Court to approve a Receiver’s Lien amount for the expenses the Receiver actually spent abating the nuisance property. f) The lien amount can include any and all direct and indirect expenses and costs incurred by the Receiver, including reasonable attorney's fees and costs. (Tenn. Code. Ann. § 13-6-102). g) The Court will review, modify where appropriate and approve the Receiver’s Lien amount by Order of the Court. These local rules of the Shelby County Environmental Court are hereby adopted and entered on the minutes of the Court on the 15th day of February 2021.

CLEANER AND SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS SHELBY COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL COURT

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More NEWS AND RECOGNITION February 2018 Judge Potter Retires

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More TRAFFIC Traffic cases heard in Division 14 are brought by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol and heard on the fourth floor of 201 Poplar Avenue. With the exception of Shelby County holidays, cases are generally scheduled daily at 9:00am, 10:30am, and 1:30pm. Defendants who are unable to attend Court on their scheduled court date may send an email to SCTraffic@shelbycountytn.gov and make a request. All emails should include the defendant's full name as written on the traffic citation, assigned court date, ticket number and eight-digit case number, if known. Defendants who have completed Defensive Driving School and are unable to attend Court have the option to email their certificate to the Court no sooner than two weeks prior to their court date to SCTraffic@shelbycountytn.gov . The email must include the defendant's full name, assigned court date, ticket number and eight-digit case number, if known . ​ For citizens who need or are planning to take the Tennessee Driver's License test, a comprehensive Driver License Manual can be found at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/DL_Manual.pdf and a study guide is also available in the City Court Clerk's Office located at 201 Poplar Avenue or click here . ​

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More CONTACT Shelby County Environmental Court Walter L. Bailey, Jr. Criminal Justice Center 201 Poplar Avenue, 10th Floor Memphis, TN 38103 901-222-3690 Email : ecourt@shelbycountytn.gov Shelby County Environmental Court Traffic Division 201 Poplar Avenue, 4th Floor Memphis, TN 38103 Email: sctraffic@shelbycountytn.gov Get in Touch Submit Thanks for submitting! DISCLAIMER: For information on your specific case, please contact the General Sessions Clerks Office or the Shelby County District Attorney's Office at the numbers listed above. You may also refer to the "Search Your Case" tab on the website homepage. Court employees are not authorized to give legal advice to the public.

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More RECEIVERSHIP Properties Eligible for Receivership (NPA) A Receiver will assist the Shelby County Environmental Court when the owner or interested party is unable to abate a public nuisance or is otherwise non-compliant with the Court’s Order to Abate. The Receiver shall submit a development plan to abate the nuisance and file a report with the Court every sixty (60) calendar days. Upon completion of the detailed development plan, the Receiver shall file a final report with the Court indicating that the public nuisance has been abated and move the Court for the establishment of the full amount of the Receiver’s lien. ​ Properties Eligible for Receivership NPA Statute Governing Receivership Instructions for Receivers ​ After reading this information, if you would like to act as a Court-appointed Receiver, please print and complete the Receivership application, file with General Sessions Clerk, and submit a copy to the Court. ​ Receivership Application Qualified Buyer Application Receivership Environmental Court Partnership Program We are looking for nonprofits, businesses, community groups, churches, etc., to assist us with minor repairs, clean-ups, litter pick up, yard work, and other common code violations for those in our community who otherwise may not be able to afford the cost of those services. Sign up to partner with the Environmental Court and unite in the fight against blight. SIGN UP ECPP

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More CASES FIND CASE INFORMATION HERE The Shelby County Environmental Court hears various cases related to the quality of life in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. These cases arise from the City of Memphis Code of Ordinances, the Shelby County Code of Ordinances, and the Tennessee Statute. ​ ​ Cases brought under City of Memphis Ordinance: Housing Code Violations are brought by Housing Code Enforcement and address residential properties that do not meet the minimum standards set for the health and safety of both residents and neighbors. Such properties may be in a state of disrepair or accumulate trash and debris, among other potential violations. See Memphis Ordinance Code § 5708 Fire Code Violations are brought by the Memphis Fire Department and address hazards and structures in danger of collapse or otherwise present fire hazards. Animal Code Violations are brought by Memphis Animal Services and involve violations related to licensing and vaccinations of animals, cruelty to animals, dangerous dog declarations, and animals running at large. See Memphis Animal Ordinance Littering/Illegal Dumping Violations are brought by Environmental Officers pursuant to Code § 16-492 Memphis Police Department and Citizen-Initiated Violations Littering are brought by police officers and citizens under Memphis Ordinance Code § 16-492 , which permits the police and/or citizens willing to appear as witnesses to cite persons to court for littering, nuisances, or urban blight. ​ Cases brought under Shelby County Ordinance: Construction and Zoning Code Violations are brought by Memphis and Shelby County Code Enforcement . Businesses operating without a proper license and inspection certificates, illegal sign violations (including advertising and political signs), defective and/or unpermitted additions to houses or businesses, and activities prohibited in certain zones, such as auto repair in a residential zone are examples of violations brought by the Division of Planning and Development Construction Enforcement. See M emphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code Health Code Violations are brought by the Health Department and involve problems related to rat and mosquito harborage (including old tires and accumulated junk), tuberculosis and other infectious disease control, sewage outcroppings, defective plumbing, and violations related to improper food preparation. See Memphis Ordinance Code § 16 . County Traffic Violations are brought by Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Any traffic citation issued by a deputy sheriff is sent to the Environmental Court. See Shelby County Ordinance Code § 20 . Sheriff’s Office and Citizen-Initiated Violations Littering are brought under Shelby County Ordinance Code § 28-82 , which permits deputy sheriffs and/or citizens willing to appear as witnesses to cite persons to court for littering, nuisances, or urban blight. ​ Cases brought under Tennessee Statute: Nuisances under TCA § 29-3-101 are civil actions brought by the District Attorney General’s Office in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Office. These cases involve businesses, residences, and apartment complexes where sufficient illegal activity is occurring for the Court to declare them a public nuisance. Upon doing so, the property may be shut down until such time as the owner can assure that the illegal activity will cease. Neighborhood Preservation Actions under TCA §13-6-101 are civil actions whereby an interested party may sue the owner of a vacant property that is in such a state that it is a blighting influence on neighboring properties. These actions may be for damages in the amount the neighboring property’s value is diminished by the blighted property or for an order to have the property brought into compliance with the standards set by the Memphis Code. If the property owner cannot or will not bring the property up to the standard, the Court may appoint a receiver to bring the property into compliance. Offense of Littering is a criminal violation under TCA § 13-14-501 , and the Shelby County Environmental Court has exclusive jurisdiction over these cases in Shelby County. Wildlife Code Violations are Tennessee Criminal Violations brought by officers of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency . These cases include hunting, boating, and fishing violations. See TCA § 70 . State Traffic Violations under state law are brought to Division 14 by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. These citations are written by state troopers and are criminal misdemeanors.

ABOUT THE COURT CASES RECEIVERSHIP RESOURCES TRAFFIC CONTACT More ABOUT THE COURT The Shelby County Environmental Court serves the people of Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee, by hearing a variety of cases that negatively impact the quality of life in our communities. Cases come before the Court because of existing violations of either a local ordinance or state law. Code enforcement and law enforcement, with the assistance of the District Attorney General’s Office, cite property owners to court. The Court hears cases involving properties that violate health, fire, building, zoning, and animal codes. Often these properties rise to the level of public nuisance. The Court aims to achieve compliance, and as a result create a safer, more livable environment for Memphis and Shelby County citizens. COURT ROOM RULES ENABLING LEGISLATION COURT PLANNING GUIDE History of the Court HISTORY OF THE COURT In 1983, the City of Memphis created the Shelby County Environmental Court, a new division of City Court to handle health, fire, building, and zoning code violations. By centralizing ordinance violation cases before one judge, the Environmental Court gained the ability to readily and specifically respond to our community’s environmental needs. Judge Larry E. Potter was not only instrumental in creating the Shelby County Environmental Court, he also was appointed as the first Judge and subsequently elected to hear environmental cases for the next 35 years. When founded, the Environmental Court handled only one environmental docket per week.The remainder of the Court’s dockets were traffic cases brought by the Memphis Police Department. Over the next eight years, the number of environmental cases steadily increased to include animals, health department and, construction code violations. In 1991, the Tennessee Legislature gave additional authority to the Shelby County Environmental Court to issue conjunctive orders in aid of its jurisdiction. The Court could now not only order compliance with the law, but also remedy the problem at hand and prevent future violations. However the Court’s jurisdiction was and contiues to be limited only to the levying of fines. In instances of non-compliance, the Court also has the authority to assess a 10-day jail sentence for contempt of court if defendants disobey the Court’s orders. ​ In 2000, the Environmental Court pioneered the use of community courts to address problem properties at close range. Community courts serve the neighborhoods of Frayser, Orange Mound, Whitehaven, and Hickory Hill; although in the past the Court has also heard cases in Cordova, Arlington, and Millington. Since 2001, the Environmental Court has heard all cases brought under the Abatement of Nuisances Statute . Under this authority, the Court has ordered the closing of dozens of crack houses, strip clubs, apartment complexes, and other entities deemed to constitute a public nuisance. Under this statute, the Environmental Court has the same jurisdiction as circuit and chancery courts. Appeals to public nuisance decisions are heard by the Tennessee Court of Civil Appeals. ​ In 2007, the Environmental Court appointed its first referee to assist the Judge in hearing cases. Due to the expanding environmental dockets and increasing number of environmental and traffic cases, a second referee was appointed in 2012 to assist the Judge. There are currently two referees assisting the Judge in handling the increased number of environmental court cases. Appeals from cases heard by referees are heard by the Judge. In 2010, the Environmental Court began hearing cases which violate the Neighborhood Preservation Act , which addresses substandard vacant buildings that have become public nuisances. The NPA was enacted in 2004 and allows cases to be initiated by interested parties to include governmental entities or private citizens. In 2018, the NPA was amended to bring an in rem suit against the property itself, rather than the owner of the property. If the owner or any interested party is unwilling or unable to bring the property into habitable condition, the Court may appoint a receiver to abate the nuisance conditions on the property. Appeals to NPA cases are heard by the Tennessee Court of Civil Appeals. ​ The Shelby County Environmental Court is the court of original jurisdiction for all violations of Shelby County Ordinances. As such, it also hears cases as needed via intergovernmental agreements brought by Shelby County municipalities Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Lakeland, and Millington. Upon Judge Larry E. Potter’s retirement announcement in February of 2018, Patrick Dandridge was recommended and endorsed by Judge Potter and appointed by the Shelby County Commission as the second Judge of the Shelby County Environmental Court. In August of 2018, Judge Dandridge was elected and continues to serve as the second Environmental Court Judge for Shelby County. NATIONAL RECOGNITION The Shelby County Environmental Court has received many awards and accolades for being one of the first Environmental Courts in the nation and for setting the standard on efficiency and efficacy in addressing environmental cases. Today the Court hears approximately 1200 environmental court cases and 4000 traffic cases per month. Throughout its history, the Court has actively sought partnerships to assist in its vision of cooperative problem solving. After consulting with the University of Memphis Department of Psychology, the Court helped create the E-Team. Inspectors from different agencies were cross trained and dispatched to the community to bring properties into Court with conditions present that violated multiple sections of the law. ​ The Court has historically sought input from neighborhood associations, CDCs, and other citizens and groups motivated to assist in the Court’s vision of a cleaner and safer Memphis. This included the Citizen’s Environmental Review Panel, which identified and served problem properties to Court. The Neighborhood Preservation Clinic at the University of Memphis Law School is another innovative program created in partnership with the Court. With the assistance of law students with the oversight of law professors, the City of Memphis has brought lawsuits against hundreds of properties in a neglected condition. Future attorneys who were trained in the clinic are now a common sight in court, utilizing their training in Division 14 to represent clients in a legal speciality not commonly understood among the bar. The Shelby County Environmental Court was the second court of its kind in the nation, and has been instrumental in founding many similar courts. There are over 25 Environmental Courts in the United States, many of them following the model set by Shelby County Environmental Court. In Tennessee alone there are courts in Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Jackson. The Environmental Court has been nationally recognized by Keep America Beautiful, the Center for Court Innovation, and the Tennessee Municipal League, among other organizations. VIEW ARCHIVES Nationa Recognition AboutJudge Dandridge