What Court Clerks Can and Cannot Tell You in Obion County (and Where to Get Legal Help)

Court clerks in Obion County aren't allowed to give legal advice. So even if your question seems straightforward - like what you "should" file or what a term means - they'll have to stop short and direct you to an attorney or legal aid. They're not being unhelpful. It's a legal boundary they have to follow to avoid giving one side an advantage over another.

Clerks can't tell you what legal action to take, interpret legal terminology, do legal research, or predict how a judge might rule. They also can't recommend an attorney. If you're stuck on what to do next, expect them to point you toward legal help rather than answer the "what should I do?" question directly.

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• ✓ Provide mailing addresses and phone numbers (with extensions) for Circuit, General Sessions, Chancery, and Juvenile Court clerk offices in Obion County
• ✓ Tell you what payment types are accepted for court costs (cash, cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card)
• ✓ Confirm that personal checks are not accepted
• ✓ Explain that it’s the clerk’s duty to collect all court costs
• ✓ Share that certain Circuit and General Sessions payments can be made online through courtfeepay.com (with a 3% or $3.00 service charge)

Need to reach a clerk's office? Obion County court offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you're handling something time-sensitive - like confirming how to pay costs - call earlier in the day to avoid the last-minute rush.

Heading to the courthouse? Expect security screening before you can access the upstairs court offices. There's also a dress code: no shorts, tank tops, ripped clothing, or gang-related clothing. Leave weapons, cellphones, purses, food, and drinks in your vehicle - they're not allowed in certain courthouse areas, and bringing them means getting turned back.

Need actual legal advice, not just procedural info? Start with legal aid. West Tennessee Legal Services covers Obion County and is a solid first call for civil legal help if you qualify. This lines up with what the clerk's office will tell you anyway - they can't recommend attorneys, so they'll direct you to seek one on your own or contact legal aid.

When reaching out for legal help, explain your situation clearly and have any court paperwork ready. Dealing with a criminal case without a lawyer? Ask the court about your options for counsel. Clerks can't advise on strategy, but they can point you toward the right place to request legal representation.

1. Gather your paperwork and write down your questions - keep case numbers, dates, and any notices together so you can describe the issue quickly.
2. Call the right clerk’s office for procedural details - Obion County lists phone numbers and extensions for Circuit, General Sessions, Chancery, and Juvenile Court clerks, along with mailing addresses, so you can reach the correct office.
3. Sort out payment logistics early - the clerk’s office must collect all court costs, personal checks aren’t accepted, and you can pay by cash, cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card.
4. Use online payment when it applies - for eligible Circuit and General Sessions cases, Obion County accepts online payments through courtfeepay.com, with a 3% or $3.00 service charge.
5. Contact West Tennessee Legal Services for civil legal aid - they serve Obion County and may be able to help if you meet eligibility requirements.

Obion County publishes mailing addresses and phone numbers (with extensions) for Circuit Court, General Sessions, Chancery Court, and Juvenile Court clerk offices. All are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - plan calls, payments, and visits within that window.

• ✓ Arrive expecting to pass through security to reach the upstairs court offices
• ✓ Follow the courthouse dress code: no shorts, tank tops, ripped clothing, or gang-related clothing
• ✓ Leave prohibited items behind (including weapons, cellphones, purses, food, and drink) to avoid delays or being turned away