--- title: "Cheryl A. Blackburn | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-a-blackburn-tn-criminal-court-judge-davidson" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Cheryl A. Blackburn Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 20 (Davidson) · Criminal Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 20 (Davidson) - State: Tennessee - Role: Criminal 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 - Cheryl A. Blackburn held the role of a Criminal Court Judge in Davidson County, Tennessee, beginning her tenure in 1996 and retiring in May 2025 after 29 years on the bench, making her the longest-serving criminal court judge in the county at the time of her retirement. ### Education ### Additional information - Defense attorneys in a 2024 rape trial filed motions questioning her competency, citing her struggles with reading jury instructions, understanding motions, and making extemporaneous rulings NewsChannel 5 Nashville. - During her career, she presided over numerous high-profile criminal trials, including death penalty cases and the 2019 trial of Emanuel Samson. - Year Elected/Appointed: 1996 - Appointed by Governor Sundquist and credited her professional preparation to mentors such as Generals Thomas Shriver and Torry Johnson - While Blackburn had a long and notable career in criminal law, her final years on the bench were marked by controversy regarding her competency and courtroom management, which has prompted discussions about judicial oversight and transparency in Tennessee courts ## 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/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/cheryl-blackburn) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/cheryl-blackburn) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/cheryl-blackburn) - [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) - [Cheryl A. Blackburn](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/cheryl-blackburn) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-a-blackburn-tn-criminal-court-judge-davidson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-a-blackburn-tn-criminal-court-judge-davidson", "name": "Cheryl A. Blackburn | KnowJudges", "description": "Cheryl A. Blackburn, Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 20 (Davidson). 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/cheryl-a-blackburn-tn-criminal-court-judge-davidson#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cheryl-a-blackburn-tn-criminal-court-judge-davidson#judge", "name": "Cheryl A. 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