'One of the Internet's few journalistic pit bulls.' Matt Welch, tabloid.net

[Editor's note: The Putnam Pit does not advocate the removal of any official from office without cause. This form is a resource should the removal of an elected official become necessary. It also lets officials know that voters do not have to suffer through  corrupt acts between elections. It is provided as a public service. The Putnam Pit  grants permission to download, print and/or use this form by anyone, anytime. Chancery Court is in the Putnam County Justice Center, Jefferson Avenue at Spring Street, Cookeville.]

 Petition for Removal from Office
By LAWYER X
Putnam Pit Guerrilla Law columnist
State of Tennessee
ex rel
 
(Names of 10 voters seeking to oust officeholder)
 
                                                                                        
__________________,  __________________,                    No. _________________
 
__________________,  __________________,
 
__________________,  __________________,
 
__________________,  __________________,
 
__________________,  __________________,
 
                                                                   Petitioners
   
 
vs.
 
 
 
(Officeholder)________________________________
                                                                   Defendant
 
 
 
Petition for Removal from Office 
 
 
1.    This is a petition filed by [Same petitioners as above named]
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,           _______________________________.
 
 
 
who are citizens of the County of _______________, State of Tennessee, pursuant to Tennessee
 
Code Annotated 8-47-101, et seq.   This court has jurisdiction pursuant to that statute.
 
 2.    The defendant is duly elected and serving in the office of ___________________ in the
 
aforementioned County of ___________________ (or City of _____________________ ),
 
State of Tennessee.
 
3.    Petitioners allege that the defendant [DELETE CHOICES THAT DO NOT APPLY] did
 
knowingly or wilfully commit misconduct in office [or knowingly or wilfully neglected to perform a
 
duty enjoined upon the aforementioned officer by the law off Tennessee] [or did commit an act
 
constituting a violation of a penal statute] in that the aforementioned defendant did:
 
(Enter here an offense listed in T.C.A. 8-47-101)
 
___________________________________________________________________
 
___________________________________________________________________
 
___________________________________________________________________
 
___________________________________________________________________
 
___________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
 4.     Petitioners allege that the aforesaid acts are sufficient under the Tennessee Code Annotated 8-47-101 to remove said defendant from office.
 
 Wherefore, petitioners pray:
 
        1. That a summons issue from the clerk of the court and be served upon defendant requiring
 
defendant to appear and answer this petition.
 
        2. That the court temporarily suspend defendant from office pursuant to Tennessee Code
 
Annotated 8-47-116 if the court finds that the allegations merit suspension, all pending the final
 
hearing.
 
        3. Upon the final hearing, the defendant be ousted from office pursuant to a writ of ouster.
 
(Signatures and addresses of petitioners bringing this motion)
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________.
 
 
 
 
COST BOND
 
 
We are surety for all court costs not to exceed $500. (Signatures and addresses of petitioners)
 
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________.
 
 
 
 
AFFIDAVIT
 (Signatures and addresses of petitioners)
 
 _______________________________,          _______________________________,
 
       _______________________________,           _______________________________,
 
_______________________________,           _______________________________,
 
  _______________________________,           _______________________________,
 
 _______________________________,           _______________________________,
 
 
 
 
 first being duly sworn, make oath that the facts stated in their foregoing Petition for Removal from
 
Office is true and correct to the best of their knowledge, information and belief.
 
This _________ day of ___________, 199___
 
_______________________ Notary public
 
My commission expires ____________________________.