Hamilton County Criminal Court: Hours & Operations

When is the Court open?    

The Second Division begins its daily docket on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:00 a.m., and it works through completion of the cases on the docket.

On Mondays, case management conferences are held from 9:00 through 10:30.  At 10:30, the Court may convene specially scheduled hearings or proceedings, and the Drug Recovery Court docket typically begins at 1:30.  

While the courts are affected by COVID-19, the the Court holds arraignments, or the first court appearance for a case, starting at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings.  The Court will schedule other proceedings, or check on the status of cases, starting at 10:30.

Afternoon dockets are generally reserved for bench trials or significant hearings requiring multiple witnesses.  Because these hearings are set with the convenience of third-party witnesses in mind, these hearings take priority over all other matters.      

Where is the Court located?    

The Hamilton County Criminal Court is located in the Hamilton County Courts Building at 600 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402.  The Second Division is located on the third floor in Room 302.

I am running late for a court date.  What should I do?

Please click here, or call either the Court at 209-7560 or the Criminal Court Clerk's office at 209-7500, to let us know of your expected arrival.

How do I find my next court date?

You can find your next court date by clicking here.

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