NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It's an alarmingly high number.
According to Metro Nashville Police, there have been at least 8,587 domestic violence victims so far this year.
Justice after such a horrible crime is so important. Yet that can be a very slow process.
In the player above, a Nashville judge explains in the player above why this is so needed and how it should help the process.
Because of the caseload, Davidson County's General Session Court judges have decided to add a third domestic violence docket and a fourth judge to preside over those cases beginning in 2025.
"It's gotten to a point where we have to do something for the interest of public safety and the interest of everybody," said Judge Allegra Walker-Birdine.
Judge Walker-Birdine is the presiding judge, as well as one of three judges assigned to the Domestic Violence Court. On a rotating basis, the judges hear two domestic violence dockets. One is bond hearings and initial appearances, the other is jail hearings and protective orders.
The new structure will place protective orders on an independent docket. Right now, if a legal dispute pops up, those cases can back up the jail hearings. There are roughly 4,000 order of protection cases every year.
"We will get more efficiency with our cases being heard. We will grant people additional access to the cases, so we can process a few more cases. We can control safety within the courtroom so it's not always so packed and contentious. Hold defendants accountable, of course, as well as protect the whole community of Nashville," Judge Walker-Birdine said.
Just last month, Metro Council's Public Health and Safety committee focused on domestic violence. They brainstormed ways to keep more offenders away from their victims and make sure they face consequences for their actions. There's so much at stake. Nearly half of all crimes in the county are domestic violence-related.
If you need immediate help with the order of protection process, an advocate at Metro's Family Safety Center can help you. You can find them at 610 Murfreesboro Pike next to Metro Police Headquarters.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at hannah.mcdonald@newschannel5.com.
There are still so many families in East Tennessee hurting following the floods from Hurricane Helene in September. That made this year's running of the Santa Train extra special for many families in the northeast part of the state. This special Santa Express has been making an annual run in part of Appalachia for over 80 years.
-Lelan Statom
