Rule 2 – Purpose and Construction

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Tennessee

These rules are intended to provide for the just determination of every criminal proceeding. They shall be construed to secure:

(a) simplicity in procedure;
(b) fairness in administration; and
(c) the elimination of:

(1) unjustifiable expense and delay; and
(2) unnecessary claims on the time of jurors.

Tenn. R. Crim. P. 2

Advisory Commission Comment.

This rule conforms to Rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and is a clear statement of the intention of the commission.

Subdivision (c)(2) is designed to stress that the efficient use of jurors’ time is a public interest that courts should consider in construing the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure.