Tennessee courts have continuously determined that Tenn. Const. [a]rt. I, § 17 does not create a substantive right, only a “mechanism by which a citizen may redress grievances.” State ex rel. Moncier [v. Jones ], [No. M2012–01429–COA–R3–CV], 2013 WL 2492648, [at] *6 (Tenn.Ct.App. [Nov. 13,] 2013) ; seeStaples v. Brown , [113 Tenn. 639,] 85 S.W. 254 (Tenn.1905). In State ex rel. Moncier, the Court specifically declined to hold that Article [I], Section 17 creates a substantive cause of action to enforce other constitutional provisions or laws.
Staples v. Brown, 85 S.W. 254, 255 (Tenn. 1905); see State ex rel. Herbert S. Moncier v. Nancy S. Jones, No. M2012-01429-COA-R3-CV, 2013 WL 2492648, at *6 (Tenn. App. June 6, 2013), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Nov. 13, 2013).
This court heard oral arguments in three related cases involving Mr. Moncier's suspension. One is Herbert S. Moncier v. Bd. of Prof'l Responsibility, No. M2012-00779-COA-R3-CV, 2013 WL ___ (June ___, 2013); the other is State ex rel. Herbert S. Moncier, et al., v. Nancy S. Jones, et al., No. M2012-01429-COA-R3-CV, 2013 WL __ (June_, 2013). In the complaint filed on July 20, 2011, Mr. Moncier challenged the disciplinary proceedings and sought to enjoin his suspension.