Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-4-101: Preliminary proceedings

Judges of the courts of general sessions are authorized and empowered to:

(1) Make the preliminary examination and bind over the reputed father in bastardy cases;

(2) Summon a jury of inquest in cases of death by accident, as provided in § 38-5-103 ;

(3) Issue a warrant for a prisoner escaped from jail;

(4) Examine persons arrested for a crime;

(5) Bind a defendant over to court if probable cause be found; and

(6) Take bail in bailable offenses brought before the judges.