Court of Criminal Appeals Judge James Curwood Witt, Jr. passed away on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
Judge Witt was serving as a judge on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section, at the time of his passing. He was appointed to the court by Republican Governor Don Sundquist in January 1997 and was retained in 1998, 2006, and 2014. He ran for re-election and won the retention election in 2022.
Prior to joining the Criminal Court of Appeals, Judge Witt served as Counsel to the Monroe County Board of Education, from 1989 – 1997. He was the Monroe County Juvenile Court judge, from 1979-82 and a juvenile court referee in Monroe County, from 1974-1979. Judge Witt also served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Judge Witt was a Member of Tennessee and Monroe Country Bar Associations; president, Monroe County Bar Association, 1977; Tennessee Council of Juvenile Court Judges, 1979-82; Hearing Committee member, Board of Professional Responsibility, 1986-92; member of Tennessee Judicial Council, 1980-88; chairman, board of trustees, Emory & Henry College, Tennessee Wesleyan College and Hiwassee College, 1987-90; member, Holston Conference (United Methodist Church) Board of Trustees, 1995; president, Boys & Girls Club of the Monroe Area, TN, Inc., 1996; presenter, Phi Theta Kappa, Tennessee Regional Honors Institute, 1995; member Tennessee Bar Foundation
Judge Witt received his associate degree from Hiwassee College in 1968, his undergraduate degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1970, and his J.D. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1973.
The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church of Madisonville on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 4 p.m.
Remembrances & Condolences:
"For many years, the Tennessee Supreme Court has benefitted from Judge Curwood Witt's wisdom, experience, and leadership. He was a public servant of the highest order. We mourn Judge Witt's passing and honor his legacy of service to the Judiciary and to our State."
- Chief Justice Holly Kirby, Tennessee Supreme Court
"I was privileged to work alongside Judge Witt for almost 25 years. He was an intellectual Renaissance man who challenged me as a judge and a person. Tennessee will miss him as a jurist. I will miss my friend."
- Retired Judge Norma Ogle, Court of Criminal Appeals
“In remembering former Presiding Judge James Curwood Witt, we celebrate a life devoted to his faith, family, and the rule of law. His keen intellect and deep understanding of the law inspired those who worked alongside him and shaped the judiciary for over thirty years. While he will be missed, he has left a profound legacy that will influence jurists and Tennessee law for generations to come.”
-Presiding Judge Camille R. McMullen, Court of Criminal Appeals
"Judge Witt and I served together on the CCA for over 24 years. He was simply a 'class act' in every respect. He was really a brilliant lawyer and judge and was both a friend and a mentor to me. He was a traditionalist in the best way possible. He expected the best from the lawyers appearing before us...sometimes seeming strict...but always having a kind and caring heart. I will miss his friendship and our sharing stories together. He was a true gentleman.”
-Judge Robert Wedemeyer, Criminal Court of Appeals
“Judge Witt was one of the best and brightest people that I have ever known. He was a brilliant appellate judge, totally committed to the rule of law. Judge Witt was dignified and firm yet kind and considerate of all. He was admired by all in the legal community and will be greatly missed."
-Senior Judge Kelly Thomas, Criminal Court of Appeals
