April 7, 2000

Mr. Jerry Creasey, Chairman
Anderson County Commission
Anderson County Courthouse
Clinton, Tn 37716

RE: DA's Clarification Regarding LISA SCHEER ATTACHMENT, "Juvenile Services Commission" Minutes, April 4

Dear Chairman Creasey,

Ms. Scheer reports my attendance at last month's Children's Rights Conference, and that I asked a question of the panel (see program attached) regarding Ethics Opinion 98-5, which points out ethical and constitutional problems with the practice of judicial supervision of juvenile probation services.

For clarification, Commission may be interested to know that my question was addressed to the Honorable Richard Taylor, Assistant Public Defender from the 23rd Judicial District, who as a panelist had expressed to those in attendance the Defense Bar's frustrations with the all too frequent and lamentable practice of the juvenile probation officers "EX PARTE-ING" with the Juvenile Judge.

I hope this clears up Ms. Scheer's "surprise" at public discussion of these problems. Insofar as there is concern over the conflict of ethical and statutory principles, then all Anderson County has to do is get themselves a Private Act.

Very truly yours,

James N. Ramsey
District Attorney General

JNR/tg

Attachments: (1) Children's Rights Conference Agenda; (2) Lia Scheer's Comments