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Civil courts hear civil matters—which are generally lawsuits regarding disputes between persons or entities in which money, property, or personal rights under the law are at issue. Civil matters are distinguishable from criminal matters, which generally involve a city, state, or federal government prosecuting a person or entity for the commission of a crime.

In Tennessee, civil courts are responsible for adjudicating non-criminal disputes between parties, which may include individuals, businesses, or other entities. These disputes often involve issues such as contracts, torts (civil wrongs like negligence), property, family law (such as divorce and custody), and probate matters. The Tennessee court system is structured with several levels of civil courts, including General Sessions Courts for smaller claims and limited jurisdiction, Chancery and Circuit Courts for general jurisdiction, and specialized courts like Probate and Family Courts for specific types of cases. Appeals from these courts can be taken to the Tennessee Court of Appeals and, ultimately, the Tennessee Supreme Court. The amount in controversy and the nature of the case typically determine which court has jurisdiction. Civil matters are distinct from criminal cases, where the state prosecutes individuals or entities for violations of criminal law. In civil cases, the burden of proof is 'preponderance of the evidence,' which is lower than the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard used in criminal cases.

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Courts

civil courts

As a LegalFix Member You Will Be an Important Client of Local Law Firms

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Courts

civil courts

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