---
title: "Andrew J. Hairston | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Andrew J. Hairston

Alabama Ninth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: Circuit Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://cherokee.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Official roster](https://cherokee.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://cherokee.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al",
      "name": "Andrew J. Hairston | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Andrew J. Hairston, Alabama Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al#judge",
      "name": "Andrew J. Hairston",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al",
      "jobTitle": "Circuit Court Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Alabama Ninth Judicial Circuit Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://cherokee.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Alabama",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/alabama"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Andrew J. Hairston",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/andrew-j-hairston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-ninth-judicial-circuit-court-al"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- In February 2023, he was selected as Presiding Judge of the Ninth Circuit, a role that includes overseeing daily court operations, case assignments, the annual court calendar, and court finances Southern Torch.
- Listed on the official Alabama Administrative Office of Courts roster as a Circuit Court Judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, which covers Cherokee and DeKalb counties
- As Presiding Judge, Hairston has emphasized public access and transparency, stating that court sessions remain open to the public and welcoming visitors Southern Torch

### Education



### Additional information

- Earlier roles included work as an associate attorney in Birmingham
- Prosecutor in Sylvania, AL
- Private practice in DeKalb and Cherokee counties, Alabama
- Public defender in Rainsville, AL
- The circuit handles over 22,000 cases annually Southern Torch.
- His leadership role involves managing the circuit’s judicial resources and ensuring efficient case handling Southern Torch.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2bb56569e2cd3665169eeff4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Criminal proceedings only.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.