--- title: "Brooklynn M. Townsend | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brooklynn-m-townsend-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-polk" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Brooklynn M. Townsend Tennessee General Sessions Court, Polk County · General Sessions Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee General Sessions Court, Polk County - State: Tennessee - Role: General Sessions Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The General Sessions Court Judge for Polk County, Tennessee, and also serves as the Polk County Juvenile Court judge, appointed in 2017 and elected to a full term in 2020 ### Education - University of Florida — J.D. (2006) ### Additional information - She has been in this role since her appointment by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on November 14, 2017, filling a vacancy caused by Judge Billy D. Baliles’ medical leave. - She has been the Polk County team leader since May 2015 - Bachelor’s degree in 2003 - overseeing administrative functions and appearing in multiple court levels - Before becoming a judge, Townsend held the role of an Assistant District Attorney General for the 10th Judicial District in Tennessee, covering Bradley, Polk, McMinn, and Monroe counties. ## 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 coverage and recording Scope: statewide Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived. Evidence excerpt: Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin. [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording restrictions Scope: statewide Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants. Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited. [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote technology Scope: statewide Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court. Evidence excerpt: The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court. [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/brooklynn-m-townsend) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/brooklynn-m-townsend) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/brooklynn-m-townsend) - [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines) - [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings) - [Brooklynn M. Townsend](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/brooklynn-m-townsend) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brooklynn-m-townsend-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-polk", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brooklynn-m-townsend-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-polk", "name": "Brooklynn M. Townsend | KnowJudges", "description": "Brooklynn M. Townsend, Tennessee General Sessions Court, Polk County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brooklynn-m-townsend-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-polk#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brooklynn-m-townsend-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-polk#judge", "name": "Brooklynn M. 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