Prosecutor funding fight between local cities, DA Agee goes to state’s highest court

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday at Union University over whether West Tennessee cities are responsible for providing staff or funding to help prosecute state criminal cases in municipal court.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge rules on case involving District Attorney General, local courts

District Attorney General Frederick H. Agee argues each city must provide staff or funding to help his office prosecute state criminal cases in municipal court.

“If a city petitions to have a municipal court, they have to provide the staff and you cannot prosecute cases without a prosecutor,” Agee said.

City leaders argue the statute is unclear about who is responsible for fulfilling that role.

“The statute doesn’t provide that it says prosecutors, it just says sufficient personnel,” said Michael Hill.

The case focuses on how Tennessee law defines “sufficient personnel” and whether that includes funding prosecutors or simply providing basic court staff.

Agee said he would stop prosecuting cases if no personnel or funding was provided. Depending on the decision, it could change how district attorneys manage cases or how cities pay and provide staff for cases.

Justices did not issue a ruling Wednesday, but the outcome could influence how future cases are managed across Tennessee.

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