Tennessee Code Title 8. Public Officers and Employees § 8-14-104

(a) The district public defender has the duty and responsibility of representing indigent persons for whom the district public defender has been appointed as counsel by the court. Either personally or through an assistant district public defender, the district public defender shall counsel with the accused and represent such accused in the trial court. If the accused is aggrieved by the judgment of the trial court imposing a sentence of imprisonment, or dismissing a habeas corpus or post-conviction petition, the district public defender shall advise such accused fully concerning rights of appellate review.

(b) If the accused desires to appeal to an appellate court, the district public defender shall seasonably take all steps necessary to perfect the appeal, including a new trial motion when required and the filing of all essential transcripts and records with the clerk of the appellate court.

(c) The district public defender has the duty and responsibility of handling all appeals filed by an indigent person represented in the trial courts of this state.

(d) At such times and in such form and manner as may be directed by the chairs of the criminal justice committee of the house of representatives and the judiciary committee of the senate, each executive director of the district public defenders conference shall submit reports reflecting the number, kind, status, and disposition of all cases and proceedings.