---
title: "Christopher J. Hughes | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/christopher-j-hughes-circuit-court-judge-alabama-thirty-seventh-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Christopher J. Hughes

Alabama Thirty-Seventh Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Thirty-Seventh 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://lee.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Official roster](https://lee.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://lee.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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The Presiding Circuit Judge for the 37th Judicial Circuit in Lee County, Alabama, serving since 2010 and currently through 2028
- Professional Experience: Former partner at Beers, Anderson, Jackson, Hughes & Patty Current partner at Samford and Denson, LLP Adjunct professor at Jones School of Law

### Education


### Additional information

- Elections: Won the Republican runoff in 2010 and the general election in 2016 unopposed.
- Appointed: July 16, 2010, by Governor Bob Riley to replace retiring Judge John V. Denson.
- Past member, Alabama State Republican Executive Committee
- Member, Alabama Bar Association Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee
- Member, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
- Board of Directors, Montgomery County Bar Association
- Judge Hughes is known for his role in presiding over a wide range of cases in the 37th Judicial Circuit, which covers Lee County and surrounding areas.
- His tenure includes both elected and appointed service, and he remains active in legal and civic organizations.



## 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.