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Tennessee Rules of Juvenile Practice and Procedure – 2026

The Tennessee Rules of Juvenile Practice and Procedure govern proceedings in the juvenile courts, covering dependency and neglect, delinquency, unruly conduct, and termination of parental rights.

Browse all 45 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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General Provisions Delinquent/Unruly Proceedings Dependent and Neglect Proceedings Foster Care Proceedings

General Provisions

Rule 101 Title of Rules —Scope —Purpose and Construction Rule 102 [Reserved.] Rule 103 Service of Process and Summons Rule 104 Appearance of Attorney Rule 105 Responsive Pleadings and Motions Rule 106 Filing and Service of Pleadings and Other Parties Rule 107 Subpoenas Rule 108 Injunctive Relief Rule 109 Orders for the Attachment of Children Rule 110 Time Rule 111 Scheduling Conferences and Orders Rule 112 Attendance of Parties and Other Necessary Persons Rule 113 [Reserved.] Rule 114 Confidentiality of Proceedings Rule 115 Recording Hearings Rule 116 Standard of Proof Rule 117 Entry of Order Rule 118 Appeals

Delinquent/Unruly Proceedings

Rule 201 Preliminary Inquiry and Informal Adjustment Rule 202 Pretrial Diversion Rule 203 Procedures Upon Taking a Delinquent Child Into Custody Rule 204 Use of Restraints on Children in the Courtroom Rule 205 Notification and Waiver of Rights of Children Rule 206 Discovery Rule 207 Procedures Related to Child's Mental Condition Rule 208 Transfer to Criminal Court Rule 209 Plea of Guilty or No Contest - Judicial Diversion Rule 210 Adjudicatory Hearings Rule 211 Dispositional Hearings Rule 212 Probation or Home Placement Supervision Violation Rule 213 Modification of or Relief from Judgments or Orders

Dependent and Neglect Proceedings

Rule 301 Initiation of Cases Rule 302 Procedures Upon Taking Child Into Custody Rule 303 Notification and Waiver of Rights Rule 304 Intervention Rule 305 Discovery Rule 306 Taking Children's Testimony Rule 307 Adjudicatory Hearings Rule 308 Dispositional Hearings Rule 309 Agreed Orders Rule 310 Modifcation of or Relief From Judgments or Orders

Foster Care Proceedings

Rule 401 Ratification Hearings Rule 402 Periodic Progress Reviews Rule 403 Foster Care Review Board Rule 404 Permanency Hearings