2023 Tennessee Code › Title 8 - PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES (§§ 8-1-101 — 65-168) › Chapter 7 - DISTRICT ATTORNEYS GENERAL (§§ 8-7-NEW — 8-7-606) › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 8-7-NEW — 8-7-114) › Section 8-7-106 - District attorney general pro tem - Attorney acting for district attorney general

(a)
(1)
If the district attorney general fails to attend the circuit or criminal court, or is disqualified from acting, or if there is a vacancy in the office, the court shall appoint some other attorney to supply such district attorney general's place temporarily. The acts of such district attorney general pro tem shall be as valid as if done by the regular officer, and the district attorney general pro tem shall be entitled to the same privileges and emoluments.
(2)
If a district attorney general peremptorily and categorically refuses to prosecute all instances of a criminal offense without regard to facts or circumstances, then the attorney general and reporter may petition the supreme court for appointment of a district attorney general pro tem. If the supreme court finds that the district attorney general has refused to attend and prosecute according to law, then the supreme court shall appoint some other attorney as district attorney general pro tem in the district attorney general's place for the sole purpose of prosecuting persons accused of committing that offense. The acts of such district attorney general pro tem are valid as if done by the regular officer, and the district attorney general pro tem is entitled to the same privileges and emoluments.
(b)
Notwithstanding subsection (a), the district attorney general may:
(1)
Upon the consent of the district attorney general of any other judicial district, specially appoint another district attorney general, or an assistant to that district attorney general, to conduct specific criminal proceedings, including grand jury proceedings, which the district attorney general is authorized by law to conduct in that district;
(2)
Upon the consent of the executive director of the district attorneys general conference, specially appoint the executive director or an assistant to the executive director to conduct specific criminal proceedings, including grand jury proceedings, which the district attorney general is authorized by law to conduct in that district;
(3)
Upon the consent of the chief executive officer of any governmental agency, appoint a licensed attorney employed by that agency to conduct specific criminal proceedings, including grand jury proceedings, which the district attorney general is authorized by law to conduct in that district;
(4)
Upon the consent of the attorney general and reporter, specially appoint the attorney general and reporter, or an assistant to the attorney general and reporter, to conduct specific criminal proceedings, including grand jury proceedings, which the district attorney general is authorized by law to conduct in that district; provided, that no prosecution for an offense against the person as set forth in title 39, chapter 13 may be undertaken by the attorney general and reporter unless such prosecution arises out of, is related to, or affects an investigation, prosecution, or other proceeding which the attorney general and reporter is otherwise authorized to conduct, by cross-designation or otherwise; and
(5)
Upon the written request of the attorney general and reporter, personally or through one (1) of the attorney general and reporter's assistant attorneys general, participate in the trial and direction of a specific proceeding, criminal or civil, which the attorney general and reporter is authorized by law to conduct.
(c)
The acts of an attorney acting for the district attorney general or the attorney general and reporter pursuant to subsection (b) shall be valid as if done by the regular officer, and there shall be no requirement that the regular officer be disqualified from acting or that there be a vacancy in the office. Nor shall the regular officer be compelled to attend court proceedings in the matters in which an attorney is acting for the regular officer pursuant to subsection (b); provided, that the regular officer may be in attendance, and participate, if such a regular officer so desires.
(d)
Subsections (b) and (c) are not intended to abolish any authority now held by the district attorneys general, and shall not be deemed to repeal by implication any existing law.
Amended by 2021EX3 Tenn. Acts, ch. 5, s 1, eff. 11/12/2021.
Code 1858, §§ 3962, 3963 (deriv. Acts 1835-1836, ch. 28, § 2); Shan., §§ 5769, 5770; mod. Code 1932, §§ 9967, 9968; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 8-706; Acts 1991, ch. 342, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 292, § 1; 1996, ch. 996, § 2.