Last week, as I was heading to my truck after adjournment of City Court, a woman rushed toward me and asked anxiously, “Do you know where City Court is?” I told her that City Court meets at the old City Hall building – which was directly in front of us — but that it convenes at 8 a.m. and had adjourned for the day.
She exasperatedly explained that she had been at the “big” courthouse since 9 a.m., and when she couldn’t find her name displayed on the monitor listing the docket for the day, she showed her citation to a deputy sheriff and was sent in our direction. She made a side trip to the “new” City Hall (the former U. S. Bank building at One Public Square), and was then directed across the street, where she found me — the judge she was set to appear before several hours earlier.
This citizen had paid for parking across from the historic courthouse, then, after discovering she was in the wrong place, ran down Franklin Street to City Hall, then to City Court, which is located in the historic City Hall at 106 Public Square (the arched doorway to the right of the prominent CITY FORESTER sign).
It’s not a great way to start a day – and, unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence.
The Courts Complex at One Millennium Plaza is located beside the historic Montgomery County Courthouse, and the two buildings cover the entire block between Second and Third streets. Many people who do not carefully read their citations mistakenly believe that all Clarksville-Montgomery County courts are housed at the Courts Complex.
Last year, approximately 35,000 people were issued Clarksville City Court citations. Some of those missed work, arranged for childcare or experienced other inconveniences, only to go to the wrong location and fail to address their matter in City Court.
How can you be certain you get to the right court? First, READ your citation. The court’s name, location, date and time are listed on the citation. It is important that you not ignore a citation for any court. Failure to address your citation makes what could be a minor issue far more expensive or problematic. If you have questions concerning City Court citations, contact the court clerks at 931-648-4604.
Slow down, drive safely, and I look forward to seeing you around town – rather than in City Court.