- Visit the Lawrence County Online Court Records System..
- Choose “Criminal” or “Civil” Court
- Search by case number or the person’s name
To find a court date or look up a criminal record, go to:
- Visit the Lawrence County Online Court Records System.
- Choose “Criminal” or “Civil” Court
- Search by case number or the person’s name
- Double-click your name and your balance will appear
- Click ‘Make a Payment’
- Click ‘yes’ to accept terms
- Type in the amount you wish to pay
- Choose method of payment
- Review your total, which includes a convenience fee for card usage
- Enter your email address and other requested information
- Click ‘Make Payment’
- Receipt will be sent to your email
General Sessions, Juvenile, Circuit and Chancery courts all operate at the Lawrence County Courthouse.
General Sessions Judge Patricia McGuire hears misdemeanor cases, which are punishable by up to a year in jail. She also reviews bonds and conducts preliminary hearings on felony cases. She oversees probate (settling of estates), some juvenile cases, and the resolution of THP-issued tickets. General Sessions is also small claims court, where the award limit is $25,000.
Juvenile Magistrate Ashley Dunkin has jurisdiction over custody and child support matters when the parents are not married; cases involving allegation of dependency and neglect of children; and cases alleging that a child is unruly and/or delinquent.
The 22nd judicial district – which includes Lawrence, Wayne, Giles, and Maury Counties – has four Circuit judges: David Allen, Russell Parkes, Stella L. Hargrove, and Chris Sockwell.
Judges are assigned to hear criminal (felony) cases in one of the four counties for one year, then are assigned to another county. Felony cases are punishable by more than a year in jail.
Even after a Circuit Judge completes his/her year in Lawrence County, he/she returns for probation and parole violation cases. All four Circuit judges come to Lawrence County two days a month for Chancery court. This includes civil suits seeking over $25,000, divorce and custody hearings, and property issues.
In addition to presiding over trials, judges approve plea agreements, hold pretrial hearings and hear motions filed by attorneys on behalf of their clients.
