Lt. Gov. Ramsey floats judicial redistricting maps

Just more than a year after polishing off new district maps for state legislators, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey unveiled a proposed redrawing of the state’s judicial districts.

The changes would reflect the shift in population over the last three decades and would save at least $600,000, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said at a press conference at Legislative Plaza Monday.

“Obviously, these (district attorneys) and public defenders won’t be happy, but I think in the end we’ll save the taxpayers money and operate efficiently and bringing the judiciary together is more important,” he said.

The map under Senate Bill 780 [1], which needs legislative approval, reduces the number of judicial districts to 29 from 31. The new map would affect 22 counties in eight judicial districts. If approved, the new map [2] would leave Davidson County’s judicial district untouched, but would make lone districts out of Williamson and Rutherford Counties. Click here [3] to see the current map.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade is signed onto the plan, as is Tennessee Trial Judges Association President Chancellor Daryl Fansler, Tennessee Judicial Conference President Robert Holloway and Tennessee Bar Association President Jackie Dixon.