Wilson County Lawyer for Lebanon, TN Cases
04. Wilson County
Criminal Charges in Wilson County
Wilson County is part of Tennessee's 15th Judicial District. Our office is in Gallatin, and we take criminal cases in the Wilson County courts in Lebanon. Attorney Chloe Hawes handles our criminal defense cases.
• Misdemeanors and first appearances. General Sessions Court, Divisions I and II, sits in the Wilson County Criminal Justice Center, 115 E. High Street, Lebanon. Most charges start here. See our General Sessions court guide for what to expect.
• Felonies and jury trials. Wilson County Circuit Criminal Court hears all felony cases and all criminal jury trials. It is also at 115 E. High Street. The Circuit Court Clerk keeps these records.
• Probation. The county lists a Probation office in the same Criminal Justice Center. If you are accused of a violation, read our probation violation page.
• 15th Judicial District Drug Court. This is a sentencing option for non-violent felony and misdemeanor offenders with an alcohol or drug addiction. It serves Wilson, Jackson, Macon, Smith and Trousdale counties and is based at the Wilson County Judicial Center, 134 S. College Street. The county says to apply through your attorney or by mailing the Drug Court application. The program runs 18 to 24 months, and the Drug Court team decides who qualifies.
Facing a DUI or drug charge in Wilson County? Start with our criminal defense overview, or ask about expungement for an old case.
Call (615) 997-7618 to talk with our team about your case.
Probate, Wills and Conservatorship in Wilson County
A will is probated in the county where the person usually lived when they died (Tenn. Code Ann. § 32-2-101). For Wilson County residents, that is the Wilson County Probate Court.
• Who keeps the files. The Wilson County Clerk and Master also serves as clerk of Probate Court. The office is in the Wilson County Judicial Center, 134 S. College Street, Lebanon.
• What it handles. The clerk lists estates, conservatorships, guardianships, muniment of title, small estate affidavits and cremation cases.
• How the court is set up. Wilson County's Probate Court was created by private act. The Clerk and Master is appointed Special Master and handles some matters, subject to review by the Probate Judge.
• Forms. The clerk posts probate forms online, including a petition for small estate, a claim against an estate and a statistical sheet required for conservatorships. The clerk cannot give legal advice on which form to use.
Our estate work is handled by attorney Kylene Ross with our probate paralegal, who has 20 years of probate, wills and estates experience. Learn more about probate, conservatorship, wills and trusts and power of attorney.
Lawsuits and Civil Cases in Wilson County
• General Sessions civil. Wilson County General Sessions is a court of limited jurisdiction that hears civil matters, including civil warrants, detainer (eviction) summons and garnishments. Its civil limit is generally $25,000, and there is no limit in detainer cases (Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501).
• Larger cases. Wilson County Circuit Civil Court, 134 S. College Street, hears personal injury, contract and other civil suits. Wilson County Chancery Court, in the same building, also hears civil cases.
• E-filing. The Circuit Court Clerk takes electronic filings for Circuit Court, General Sessions III and Juvenile Child Support. The clerk says not to file General Sessions appeals online.
• Deadlines. A General Sessions judgment can be appealed to Circuit Court within 10 days (Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-5-108). The clerk warns that appeals must be filed by close of business on the deadline, and to call the office where the case was filed if you are unsure of the date.
Served with a civil warrant? Read our lawsuit defense page and our civil matters overview.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
Have a case in Wilson County? Call (615) 997-7618 to talk with our team. Prefer to write first? Send us a message and we are notified right away.