The integrity of the justice system relies on attorneys following the law as rigorously as they practice it. When a legal professional actively subverts the law they are sworn to uphold, the disciplinary consequences are final. For Gallatin, Tennessee attorney Jocelyn Doria Mims (BPR Number 023786), a series of criminal convictions involving evidence tampering and false reports has resulted in a permanent disbarment.
Effective January 30, 2026, the Supreme Court of Tennessee ordered that Jocelyn Doria Mims be permanently disbarred, ensuring she will never again practice law in the state.
The Core Misconduct: Evidence Tampering and Deception
The final disbarment follows a high-profile criminal case in Sumner County. Mims was convicted of several “serious crimes” as defined by Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 2. The core allegations that led to her removal from the bar included:
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Tampering with Evidence: Mims was found guilty of deleting child pornography from a client’s cellphone to prevent its discovery by law enforcement.
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Making a False Report: Following the tampering, Mims reportedly lied to police officers regarding her actions and the evidence involved.
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Failure to Report Abuse: She was also charged with intentionally failing to report child sexual abuse, a violation that struck at the heart of her ethical obligations as a mandated reporter and legal officer.
In May 2025, Mims was sentenced to six years in prison for these offenses, marking a catastrophic end to a legal career that had spanned over two decades.
A History of Disciplinary Interventions
The 2026 disbarment was not Mims’ first encounter with the Board of Professional Responsibility. Her career was characterized by a rare cycle of disbarment and reinstatement:
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2008–2009 (First Disbarment): Mims was initially disbarred in 2009 after pleading guilty to conspiracy and criminal attempt to introduce contraband (Xanax) into a penal facility.
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2017 (Reinstatement): After serving her time and petitioning the court, the Tennessee Supreme Court reinstated her license in July 2017, finding that she had met the high burden of proving her fitness to practice.
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2024 (Suspension): Following the new felony charges in 2023, Mims was temporarily suspended in November 2024 until the criminal proceedings concluded.
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2026 (Permanent Disbarment): Upon her conviction and sentencing, the Supreme Court moved from suspension to Permanent Disbarment, a status from which an attorney can never apply for reinstatement.
Financial Mandates and Administrative Costs
The Tennessee Supreme Court’s final order issued on January 30, 2026, carries several immediate requirements:
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Permanent Termination: Unlike standard disbarment, which may allow for a petition after five years, permanent disbarment terminates the individual’s status as a lawyer forever.
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Cost Reimbursement: Mims was ordered to pay all costs incurred by the Board of Professional Responsibility during the investigation and prosecution of this ethics matter.
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Client Protection: She must comply with Rule 9, Section 28, regarding the notification of clients and the handling of files during the cessation of her practice.
Conclusion: Protecting the Public Trust
The case of Jocelyn Doria Mims highlights the limits of professional redemption. While the Tennessee bar gave Mims a second chance in 2017, her subsequent choice to engage in evidence tampering proved to be the final straw for the judiciary. Her removal serves as a protective barrier for the Sumner County community and a reminder that no attorney is above the law. For the most current information on attorney status, the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility’s public search remains the definitive resource.
