Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Inc. (FDSET), is a non-profit corporation that was begun in 1992 with a renewable grant from the Administrative Office of the Courts of the United States. FDSET provides representation of indigent defendants in the Eastern District of Tennessee by appointment from the federal courts pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), 18 U.S.C. §3006A. (FDSET is solely funded by an annual grant from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts in the approximate amount of $9,000,000.)
FDSET MISSION STATEMENT
Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Inc. zealously advocates in federal courts for those who have been accused or convicted of federal or capital crimes. We provide client-centered, vigorous, and compassionate representation to all. We believe in the worth, dignity, and humanity of every client.
Values: Compassion, Client-Centered Representation, Zealous Advocacy, Competency, Integrity, and Diversity and Inclusion
Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Inc. zealously advocates in federal courts for those who have been accused or convicted of federal or capital crimes. We provide client-centered, vigorous, and compassionate representation to all. We believe in the worth, dignity, and humanity of every client.
Values: Compassion, Client-Centered Representation, Zealous Advocacy, Competency, Integrity, and Diversity and Inclusion
Response to the Murder of Tyre Nichols and Call to Action
“We can never be satisfied as long as [African-Americans are] the victim[s] of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is easy to dismiss Tyre’s death as merely the result of the actions of five officers of the Memphis Police Department. We urge the public to reject this oversimplification and to examine deeper.
Tyre’s murder was not just the result of the actions of individual officers. Tyre was the victim of inhumane, corrupt, and racist policies of aggressive community surveillance. Our elected leaders tout aggressive policing practices (such as Memphis’s “Scorpion” Unit) as necessary to stifle crime when, in reality, it encourages officers to act on unlawful pretexts and prejudice, and widens the rift that already exists between law enforcement and so many of our communities. Instead of preventing crime, these aggressive policies only deepen mistrust of law enforcement and make our communities less safe.
We urge our community to not only stand in solidarity with Tyre’s family and those of us protesting state-sanctioned violence. We also urge our community to hold accountable our leaders that advocate for and implement policies that result in tragedies like Tyre’s murder.
Please click the text below for the full statement.
Knoxville Office800 South Gay Street
Suite 2400 Knoxville, TN 37929-9714 Phone: (865) 637-7979 Fax: (865) 637-7999 |
Chattanooga Office
605 Chestnut Street
Suite 1310 Chattanooga, TN 37450 Phone: (423) 756-4349 Fax: (423) 756-4345 |
Greeneville Office219 W. Depot St.
Suite 2 Greeneville, TN 37743-4909 Phone: (423) 636-1301 Fax: (423) 636-1385 |
*The material found on this Web site is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered to be legal advice and is not guaranteed to be complete or up to date. Use of this Web site is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between the user and Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Inc. (FDSET) or any of the firm’s attorneys. Readers should not rely upon or act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
The sites / links you are about to visit contains information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. FDSET does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information; nor does it control or guarantee the on-going availability, maintenance, or security of these internet sites. Further, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance or to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these outside sides, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
The sites / links you are about to visit contains information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. FDSET does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information; nor does it control or guarantee the on-going availability, maintenance, or security of these internet sites. Further, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance or to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these outside sides, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.