Cleveland attorney George McCoin has been appointed as interim city judge until Sept. 4, when a new city judge will be appointed by the City Council.
Attorney McCoin's appointment comes after the death of Judge Bill Moss, who had served as city judge for 38 years.
Attorney McCoin said, "I'm doing it to try to help out."
He said he would not apply for the two-year term.
He said, "This is to give the city an opportunity to come up with a process so they can fairly consider qualified candidates."
He said of Judge Moss, "Regardless of the results, when he heard a case, the people who had been before him felt like they received a fair hearing. I hope I can do that, for a short period of time, at least."
Attorney McCoin said he was approached last week about taking the position. He said he was not expecting it.
He will preside over Cleveland Municipal Court for sessions scheduled Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Sept. 4.
The oath of office was administered by Mayor Tom Rowland, who recommended the appointment.
"Thank you for your willingness to serve," the mayor told attorney McCoin. The mayor said the appointee "is very involved in our community."
The Council also adopted a process for applications for the next full term as city court judge.
To be eligible, applicants must have been a city resident for at least one year; a state of Tennessee resident for at least five years; licensed by the state of Tennessee to practice law; be at least 30 years of age; be a registered voter; not been convicted of any criminal offense involving malfeasance in office or moral turpitude and holds no other elected public office.
Applications must be submitted to the mayor's office, Municipal Building, 190 Church Street, Cleveland, TN, 37364-1519 no later than 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15.