 Judge Allegra Walker |
 Judge Ana Escobar |
 Judge Marcus Floyd |
 Judge Robin Kimbrough Hayes |
Davidson County General Sessions Domestic Violence Court began operations on September 2, 2014. In response to a city-wide Domestic Violence Safety and Accountability Assessment, the General Sessions Court reorganized its docket to create a specialized division staffed by a small team of judges focused exclusively on domestic violence matters. The original judges assigned to this court were the Honorable Angelita Dalton, Gale Robinson, and Allegra Walker.
Today, the Domestic Violence Court team includes:
- Judge Allegra Walker (joined in 2014)
- Judge Ana Escobar (joined in 2018)
- Judge Marcus Floyd (joined in 2022)
- Judge Robin Kimbrough Hayes (joined in 2025)
Types of Cases Heard in Domestic Violence Court
Under T.C.A. § 36-3-601, a domestic abuse victim is someone who has been subjected to abuse by:
- A current or former spouse
- A person with whom they live or have lived
- Someone they are dating or have dated
- A person related by blood or adoption
- A relative by marriage
- A current or former sexual or intimate partner
- The parent or guardian of their child
These relationships are key to defining whether a criminal case or petition qualifies for handling in the Domestic Violence Division.
Criminal Cases
The Domestic Violence Court hears criminal cases such as Domestic Assault, Aggravated Assault, Stalking, Harassment, Violation of an Order of Protection, Domestic Vandalism, or any other criminal offense where the victim and defendant share a qualifying domestic relationship.
Civil Cases
Orders of Protection (OPs) are civil legal remedies available to individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.
An Order of Protection may be filed by someone who:
- Is in a qualifying domestic relationship under T.C.A. § 36-3-601, or
- Is a victim of stalking or sexual assault regardless of relationship (T.C.A. § 36-3-602)
In Davidson County, all Order of Protection hearings are held in Courtroom 4D of the Justice A.A. Birch Building.
All Orders of Protection and criminal cases involving domestic violence in the General Sessions Court are docketed in the dedicated Domestic Violence Court. This court operates daily on the 4th Floor of the Justice A.A. Birch Courthouse.
Court Schedule and Locations:
- Courtroom 4B – Domestic Violence Jail Hearings
- Courtroom 4C – Domestic Violence Bond Hearings and Initial Appearance Docket
- Courtroom 4D – Order of Protection Hearings and Compliance Docket