--- title: "Chris Craft | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-craft-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Chris Craft Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby) · Criminal Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby) - 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 - Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Memphis Law School, 2001- present - Assistant District Attorney, 1982- 1994 - Prosecutorial Experience: Before becoming a judge, Craft was an assistant district attorney and senior trial prosecutor in the Major Violators Unit, where he worked from 1982 until his judicial appointment - Private practice in firm of Craft & Craft, 1978-1982 ### Education - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Memphis in 1975 and later obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the same university's law school in 1978. - University of Memphis, B.A. in Psychology, Minor in Religion 1975 - VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY Undergraduate 1973 - Vanderbilt University, 1969-1973 ### Additional information - Justice Frank F. Drowota III Award: In 2025, Chris Craft was honored with the Tennessee Bar Association’s prestigious Justice Frank F. Drowota III Award for his leadership in judicial education, ethics, and professional well-being. - Year Elected/Appointed: 1994 - Senior Trial Prosecutor in Major Violators Unit, 1991-1994 - Graduate work at Memphis Theological Seminary in Law and Religion - 1980-1982 - Managed family farm in Proctor, Arkansas, 1971-1975 - He also completed postgraduate work at Vanderbilt University and Memphis Theological Seminary - Public Service: Craft is known for his dedication to public service, having served on the board of several organizations, including the Shelby County Domestic Violence Council and the Memphis Leadership Foundation. - He is also a vice president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference - Committee Involvement: Craft has been actively involved in various legal committees, including the Tennessee Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committee, where he has served for over 30 years, including more than 20 years as chair - This award recognizes his significant contributions to the legal community over his 30-year career ## 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/chris-craft) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/chris-craft) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/chris-craft) - [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) - [Chris Craft | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://tncourts.gov/courts/judges/chris-craft) - [Chris Craft](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/chris-craft) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-craft-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-craft-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby", "name": "Chris Craft | KnowJudges", "description": "Chris Craft, Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby). 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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://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.