On Monday, December 9, 2024, WJHL reported that the Elizabethton City Council considered the appointment of an acting municipal judge due to the suspension of current judge Jason Holly’s law license. Holly’s license was suspended in October after he failed to respond to a misconduct complaint from the Tennessee Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Responsibility (TBPR).
The council met on December 12 to discuss the potential appointment of an acting judge in accordance with the city’s charter. The meeting agenda did not specify any candidates for the position.
Holly’s suspension followed a previous inability to fulfill his duties earlier in the year, stemming from his failure to complete required continuing legal education hours. Despite these issues, Holly was reelected in November, securing a win even while unable to practice law.
As a result of Holly’s situation, the municipal court, which primarily handles traffic violations and other non-criminal matters, has been utilizing workarounds to manage its operations. According to the TBPR, Holly has not yet taken any steps to address his temporary suspension, and he indicated that he may be unable to return to the bench until 2025.
Source: WJHL
