Portland, TN Lawyer for Criminal, Probate and Civil Cases
04. Portland
Criminal Charges and Tickets in Portland
Portland is a Sumner County city, and part of the city lies in Robertson County. The city's own tax ordinance sets separate rates for its Sumner County and Robertson County parts. Our office is in Gallatin, the Sumner County seat. Attorney Chloe Hawes handles our criminal defense cases.
• Portland Municipal Court. The court handles "certain traffic, animal, and property code violations." It meets on most Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall, 100 South Russell Street. The city says paying a moving violation before your court date is the same as pleading guilty.
• Which county hears a state charge. Tennessee prosecutes an offense in the county where it was committed (Tenn. R. Crim. P. 18). Most of Portland is in Sumner County, but an offense in the Robertson County part goes to the Robertson County courts.
• Sumner County. Misdemeanors and first hearings in felony cases are in Sumner County General Sessions Court (clerk at 155 East Main Street, Gallatin). Felonies go to Sumner County Criminal Court at 117 West Smith Street. Judicial commissioners set bonds around the clock, and the Recovery Court of Sumner County is an option for some defendants.
• Robertson County. General Sessions handles misdemeanors and traffic citations; its clerk is at 529 South Brown Street, Springfield. Felonies go to Circuit Court for the 19th Judicial District. See our Robertson County page.
Facing a DUI, a drug charge or a probation violation? Start with our General Sessions court guide and criminal defense overview.
Call (615) 997-7618 to talk with our team about your case.
Probate, Wills and Conservatorship for Portland Families
A will is probated in the county where the person usually lived when they died (Tenn. Code Ann. § 32-2-101). For most Portland families that is Sumner County, but a home in the Robertson County part points to Robertson County.
• Sumner County. The Sumner County Chancery Court handles probate, conservatorships and guardianships. The Clerk and Master is at 155 East Main Street, Room 3600, Gallatin, and posts probate forms on its site.
• Robertson County. Probate goes to the Robertson County Chancery Court. The Clerk and Master is at 422 West Court Square, Room 102, Springfield.
Our estate work is handled by attorney Kylene Ross with our probate paralegal, who has 20 years of probate, wills and estates experience. Read our guide to executor duties in Tennessee, or see our probate, conservatorship, wills and trusts and power of attorney pages.
Lawsuits and Civil Cases in Portland
• Read the top of the warrant. A civil warrant names the county and court where the case was filed.
• General Sessions. In both Sumner and Robertson counties, General Sessions hears civil cases up to $25,000. Detainer (eviction) cases have no dollar limit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501). Sumner's clerk is at 155 East Main Street, Gallatin. Robertson's is at 529 South Brown Street, Springfield.
• Larger cases. Sumner County Chancery Court hears contract and debt cases and real estate matters. In Robertson County, Circuit Court and Chancery Court both hear contract cases.
• Deadlines. A General Sessions judgment can be appealed to Circuit Court within 10 days (Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-5-108).
Got a demand letter or a civil warrant? Read your options after a demand letter, our lawsuit defense page and our civil matters overview.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
Have a case in Portland? Call (615) 997-7618 to talk with our team. Prefer to write first? Send us a message and we are notified right away.