--- title: "Chuck Cerny | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chuck-cerny-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-knox" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Chuck Cerny Tennessee General Sessions Court, Knox County · General Sessions Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee General Sessions Court, Knox 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 - In his remarks, he emphasized that most individuals in the criminal justice system struggle with mental health or addiction, and that “less than five percent are actually bad actors” ### Education ### Additional information - In May 2025, Judge Cerny received the Peace Award from the Rotary Club of Knoxville, honoring his 25 years of service on the General Sessions Court. - He joined the General Sessions Court in 1998 and re‐elected in 2014 for a term ending August 31, 2022 - Cerny earned his B.A. from Purdue University (1983) and his J.D. from the University of Tennessee (1986, with honors) Before joining the judiciary, he held a position as a criminal defense attorney (worker’s compensation and domestic law), then served in the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office (1989–1994) and Knox County District Attorney’s Office (1994–1999) - He also highlighted his leadership in the Knox Recovery Court and participation in expungement and fee waiver legal clinics ## 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/general-sessions-courts/judges/chuck-cerny) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/chuck-cerny) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/chuck-cerny) - [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) - [Chuck Cerny](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/chuck-cerny) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chuck-cerny-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-knox", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chuck-cerny-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-knox", "name": "Chuck Cerny | KnowJudges", "description": "Chuck Cerny, Tennessee General Sessions Court, Knox County. 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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.