A Criminal Court judge keeps missing work, slowing the court system and frustrating victims’ families
Judge Lee Coffee speaks from the bench in his courtroom on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee has been absent from the bench for nearly 40% of his scheduled court days this year, continuing a pattern of absences that attorneys say goes back years.
Through June 23, Shelby County Criminal Court has been in session for 105 days this year, excluding holidays, legal conferences or weather closures. Of those, Coffee has missed 40 days, records show, meaning he has been on the bench for 62% of scheduled court days.
Coffee, who makes a base salary of $219,120 annually, missed most of the last five weeks, and returned to the courtroom on Wednesday, June 24, according to records. One of those weeks included a judicial conference that many attorneys attend, although Coffee did not.
Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee has been absent from the bench for nearly 40% of his scheduled court days this year, continuing a pattern of absences that attorneys say goes back years.
Through June 23, Shelby County Criminal Court has been in session for 105 days this year, excluding holidays, legal conferences or weather closures. Of those, Coffee has missed 40 days, records show, meaning he has been on the bench for 62% of scheduled court days.
Coffee, who makes a base salary of $219,120 annually, missed most of the last five weeks, and returned to the courtroom on Wednesday, June 24, according to records. One of those weeks included a judicial conference that many attorneys attend, although Coffee did not.
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Judge Lee Coffee Shelby County Criminal Court Division 7 Judge Lee Coffee Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct excessive absences Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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