Sheriff responds to mass traffic court dismissals

Madison County Sheriff Julian Wiser released a statement to The Jackson Post on Thursday in response to a story earlier this week regarding General Sessions Judge Hugh Harvey and his dismissal of nearly 400 cases in traffic court on Dec. 7, 2022.

“The responses you quoted, along with others that were made and not quoted by Judge Harvey are just not that simple,” Wiser’s statement said. “The situation that occurred in court on December 7th had ramifications that will impact the professional relationship between his court and law enforcement from all agencies.

“As Sheriff, I have reviewed the statements and spoken with witnesses present in the courtroom. Judge Harvey's comments from the bench to our law enforcement personnel were unacceptable.”

Harvey said in an interview on Jan. 4 that he did dismiss cases, letting nearly 400 people who’d been issued traffic citations pay court costs and then leave, because of the full docket and not enough available spots in traffic school.

MORE: Harvey explains mass traffic court case dismissal

But Wiser’s statement said Harvey did more than that when he dismissed the cases.

“In addition to dismissing cases, officers were on the receiving end of a verbal rant from Judge Harvey toward law enforcement professionals whom were in court that day,” the statement said.

Harvey’s decision to dismiss the cases is under scrutiny as he was arrested in August for driving under the influence and in possession of a firearm and had served a month in rehab in October. He was suspended from the bench later in the month, which will end on Jan. 20.

Wiser further explained why Harvey’s decision can be problematic.

“Speeding has always been one of the top complaints I have received both as Chief of Police and as Sheriff,” said Wiser, who was Jackson Police Chief before retiring in January of 2022 to run for Sheriff last year. “In reference to these specific cases, one offender was traveling at 101 MPH in a 45 MPH zone.

“Officers across this state respond to an enormous amount of traffic tragedies involving serious injuries and death every day. Madison County is not immune to this. These scenes are not pleasant, and making a death notification to the family of a young adult involved in a traffic fatality is a heartbreaking experience.”

While Wiser didn’t offer any added any further information regarding Harvey’s “rant” toward law enforcement officers from MCSO and Tennessee Highway Patrol in the room that day, he did address Harvey’s statement from his interview last week: “If somebody hurt their feelings, that's their own fault."

“He did not hurt MY feelings, but I am disappointed for the officers in court that day, along with the citizens of Madison County,” Wiser said. “To the law enforcement officers, I would like to take this time to thank you for your commitment, sacrifice and dedication to keeping Madison County safe.

“You are an asset to our county. Regardless of what happens in a courtroom, I and the deputies of the Madison County Sheriff's Office are dedicated to upholding the law, serving our community, and protecting our citizens.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news

Wiser’s full statement can be viewed below:

Ms. Ewoldt and Mr. Shields,

Your article quotes Judge Harvey as saying, "If somebody hurt their feelings, that's their own fault." Harvey also stated that this particular day was a day of "too many cases, and this was to help them out," since the docket was full that day.

The responses you quoted, along with others that were made and not quoted by Judge Harvey are just not that simple. The situation that occurred in court on December 7th had ramifications that will impact the professional relationship between his court and law enforcement from all agencies.  As Sheriff, I have reviewed the statements and spoken with witnesses present in the courtroom. Judge Harvey's comments from the bench to our law enforcement personnel were unacceptable. In addition to dismissing cases, officers were on the receiving end of a verbal rant from Judge Harvey toward law enforcement professionals whom were in court that day.

While no one wants to receive a traffic citation, these are necessary to guarantee safety in our community. Speeding has always been one of the top complaints I have received both as Chief of Police and as Sheriff. In reference to these specific cases, one offender was traveling at 101 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. Officers across this state respond to an enormous amount of traffic tragedies involving serious injuries and death every day. Madison County is not immune to this. These scenes are not pleasant, and making a death notification to the family of a young adult involved in a traffic fatality is a heartbreaking experience.

In reference to Judge Harvey’s earlier quote, he did not hurt MY feelings, but I am disappointed for the officers in court that day, along with the citizens of Madison County.

To the law enforcement officers, I would like to take this time to thank you for your commitment, sacrifice and dedication to keeping Madison County safe. You are an asset to our county. Regardless of what happens in a courtroom, I and the deputies of the Madison County Sheriff's Office are dedicated to upholding the law, serving our community, and protecting our citizens.