‘The people’s court’

We spoke with outgoing judge Alex McVeagh about why the county General Sessions Court matters and what makes a good judge. 

Graphic by Ian-Alijah Bey

By William Newlin

If you’ve ever interacted with the Hamilton County court system, chances are, it was through General Sessions Court. 

As the lowest-level court, its five judges handle around 50,000 cases each year, including traffic tickets, DUIs, assaults, and disputes about credit card debt. While they may have less visibility than other elected officials, their decisions impact thousands of county residents.

Alex McVeagh has served as a General Sessions Court judge since 2017. He recently won election to the Circuit Court, but he spoke to us during his last week on the job to reflect on the importance of the General Sessions Court and its judges. Following her appointment by the Hamilton County Commission on Aug. 28, Tori Smith will fill his vacant seat on the bench. 

What do General Sessions judges do?

General Sessions is “the people’s court,” McVeagh said, likening it to the TV show Judge Judy. In Hamilton County, anyone charged with a misdemeanor goes to General Sessions Court, and judges also hear civil cases in which the maximum penalty or settlement is under $25,000.

While General Sessions handles smaller offenses, McVeagh said court appearances are no small matter for defendants.

“Every judge has to remember, for every single person that steps in front of you, that is potentially one of the most important days of their life,” he said.

There are no jury trials, which gives the judge the ultimate say in determining guilt and assessing penalties. To McVeagh, that power underscores why it matters who’s on the county bench. Personal biases, incorrect legal interpretations, or even a rough morning can color decisions that carry serious consequences.

Alex McVeagh poses outside the Hamilton County courthouse. Photo courtesy Alex McVeagh.

“If you end up in court one day,” McVeagh said, “I hope that you get a judge who will listen, who will fairly apply the law and who you will feel — even if you don't win your case — ‘I might not agree with that guy or gal, but I had a fair shot, and I think they followed the law.’”

Every decision in General Sessions court can be appealed to the Circuit or Criminal courts. Defendants also have the option to request a jury trial in criminal cases, and plaintiffs (those who bring lawsuits) can file a civil case in a higher court to get a jury trial.

Mental Health and Drug Recovery Courts

Outside the standard court hierarchy, Hamilton County also has what McVeagh called “problem-solving courts,” including mental health court and drug recovery court, which he helped found.

They offer alternatives to jail sentences at both the felony and misdemeanor levels after conviction.

“Somebody, typically by the time they get to felony court, especially those that have a severe substance use disorder, they've been in and out of the system for years,” McVeagh said. “We were kind of missing a lot of individuals that we possibly could have served a little earlier.”

In drug recovery court, participants engage with a 12 to 18-month program. They meet with counselors, undergo treatment, and check in regularly with McVeagh. His role is to track their progress and apply sanctions when necessary, such as a verbal warning or community service. 

Only 11% of graduates from the program have re-offended, McVeagh said, an “unheard of” recidivism rate in Tennessee.

McVeagh said drug recovery court is one way judges, and the wider court system can benefit community members by thinking creatively. He also cited an out-of-court process to settle medical debts with hospitals and text reminders to get people to come to the courtroom.

“If you come to court, things might not end up as badly as you think,” McVeagh said. “And you actually might get a chance to confront an accuser, or work with the state, or work with some of these resources or the other side to reach an agreement.”

Aren’t judges elected? Why was Smith appointed?

Hamilton County voters elected McVeagh the Circuit Court this year, but he still had six years remaining in his term on the General Sessions bench. State law required the county commissioners to appoint a replacement to fill in until the voters go to the polls again. They picked Smith on Aug. 28.

So, Smith will serve in an interim capacity for two years, when a special election in 2026 will decide who serves out the last four years of McVeagh’s old term.