Tipton County, Tennessee · Est. 1823
General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge
Serving Tipton County with justice that is firm in its standards and redemptive in its vision.
“Sometimes a person needs the strong hand of justice, and sometimes a person needs the soft hand of mercy. The challenge to the court is to discern the difference.”
Four divisions serving Tipton County under one unified vision of justice.
Criminal misdemeanors and traffic offenses, preliminary hearings for felonies, small claims and civil disputes under $25,000, and orders of protection.
Delinquency, dependency and neglect, custody, guardianship, DCS cases, and truancy proceedings.
Adult supervision, compliance monitoring, drug testing, case management, and community service coordination.
Intensive supervision, substance abuse treatment, accountability hearings, graduation milestones, and community reintegration.
We serve Tipton County — find the right office below.
Court Administrator
For administrative matters, media inquiries, and court operations, contact the Court Administrator directly.
1801 South College St., Suite 102
Covington, TN 38019
(Justice Center)
Phone: (901) 476-0251
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm
1801 South College St.
Covington, TN 38019
(Justice Center)
Phone: (901) 475-3322
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm
Youth Services Officers:
Xavier Richardson, Casey Duncan
1801 South College St.
Covington, TN 38019
(Justice Center)
Phone: (901) 475-3319
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm
Officers:
Jeff Fletcher, Penny Goracke
1801 South College St.
Covington, TN 38019
(Justice Center)
Phone: (901) 706-1356
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:30pm
Coordinator: Gracie Slater
March 14, 2026
Tipton County Recovery Court held its Spring 2026 graduation ceremony at the Justice Center in Covington on Friday, March 13. Seven participants completed the intensive program, which requires a minimum of 18 months of supervised treatment, regular court appearances, drug testing, and community service. Judge M.O. Eckel III presided over the ceremony and addressed each graduate individually. Coordinator Gracie Slater noted that the graduating class maintained a combined 97% compliance rate across all program requirements. Family members, court staff, and community supporters attended.
Read Full Release →Tipton County Courts measures what matters.
Last Updated: March 2026
Meet the Judge
General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge · Tipton County, Tennessee
Judge M.O. Eckel III serves as General Sessions Court Judge and Juvenile Court Judge for Tipton County, Tennessee. He presides over four court divisions — General Sessions, Juvenile Court, Probation Services, and Recovery Court — each reflecting his belief that justice must be both firm in its standards and redemptive in its vision.
His Recovery Court program represents one of his deepest commitments: that addiction is a condition deserving accountability and a pathway to restoration, not just punishment. In Juvenile Court, Judge Eckel operates with the conviction that the decisions made for young people today determine the community Tipton County becomes tomorrow.
He approaches every case with the understanding that the law is not merely a set of rules — it is the framework through which a community declares what it values and who it protects.