(a) All cases of alleged traffic violations by children coming within this part shall be heard and disposed of upon a traffic ticket or citation signed by a law enforcement officer that describes in general terms the nature of the violation. Such cases may be disposed of through informal adjustment, pretrial diversion, or judicial diversion; in any case, however, the child or the child’s parents may request and shall be granted a hearing before the judge.
criminal case

Ask a criminal law question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 37-1-146

  • Adult: means any person eighteen (18) years of age or older. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102
  • Child: means :
    (A) A person under eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Juvenile court: means the general sessions court in all counties of this state, except in those counties and municipalities in which special juvenile courts are provided by law, and "judge" means judge of the juvenile court. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102
  • signed: includes a mark, the name being written near the mark and witnessed, or any other symbol or methodology executed or adopted by a party with intention to authenticate a writing or record, regardless of being witnessed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) If the court finds that the child violated a traffic law or ordinance, the court may adjudicate the child to be a traffic violator, and the court may make one (1) or any combination of the following decisions:

(1) Suspend and hold the child’s driver license for a specified or indefinite time;
(2) Limit the child’s driving privileges as an order of the court;
(3) Order the child to attend traffic school, if available, or to receive driving instructions;
(4) Impose a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) against the child’s parent or legal guardian;
(5) Perform community service work in lieu of a fine; or
(6) Place the child on probation pursuant to § 37-1-131(a)(2).
(c) In any case or class of cases, the judge of any juvenile court may waive jurisdiction of traffic violators who are sixteen (16) years of age or older, and such cases shall be heard by the court or courts having jurisdiction of adult traffic violations, or the child’s parent or legal guardian may pay the stipulated fine to a traffic bureau.
  Previous section
Next section  
 Part 1 Contents