Press Releases | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

Judge Abbott is sworn in by Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Steven Sword

Family members join Judge Abbott for the ceremony

Knox County Criminal Court Judges Hector Sanchez and Emily Abbott

Judge Abbott Gets to Work on the Knox County Criminal Court Bench

September 10, 2025

Judge Emily Abbott was appointed by Governor Bill Lee to serve on the Sixth Judicial District Criminal Court on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. She was sworn in just three days later.

“I wanted to go ahead and get sworn in immediately to be able to start hearing cases because Knox County had been…

Judge Owens speaking to students in his Choices & Consequences class

Gibson County General Sessions Judge Helps Students Realize Choices Have Consequences

September 5, 2025

Not long after taking the bench in Gibson County, General Sessions Court Judge Bradley Owens made a startling observation- many of the defendants before him did not understand the legal consequences of their choices.

“I see all of these adults, even with violation of probation, even after…

Justice Bivins Elected to Serve as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court

September 4, 2025

Nashville, Tenn. - The Supreme Court has elected Justice Jeff Bivins to be the next Chief Justice of the Court. Justice Bivins was unanimously elected by the Court for a three-year term, effective September 1, 2025. This is the second time Justice Bivins will serve as Chief Justice. He…