---
title: "D. Kelly Thomas Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/d-kelly-thomas-jr-tn-senior-judge-statewide"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# D. Kelly Thomas Jr.

Tennessee Senior Judges · Senior Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Senior Judges
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Senior Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 2006-present
- Senior Judge of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court in August 2023 to a two‐year term beginning September 1, 2023
- 2006–2022: Judge, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals (Eastern Section)
- 1990–2006: Judge, Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court (Blount County)
- Pre‐judicial career: Associate at Thomas & Cunningham; partner at Thomas & Thomas
- Position: Senior Judge, Eastern Section, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
- Appointment: By the Tennessee Supreme Court, replacing retiring Senior Judge Thomas Wright
- I loved being a trial judge, and I am grateful to the Supreme Court for this opportunity”

### Education

- University of Tennessee College of Law in — J.D. (1977)

### Additional information

- Year Elected/Appointed: 2023
- Retired June 30, 2022, and returned to the bench in a senior role
- He joined the Court of Criminal Appeals by then‐Governor Phil Bredesen in 2006 and retained in 2014.
- Judge Thomas has over 30 years of judicial experience in both appellate and trial courts.
- In his own words: “After being an appellate judge, it is a rare experience to be able to go back and sit on the trial bench.
- Senior judges in Tennessee can be designated by the Chief Justice to serve in any judicial district as needed, often handling complex or difficult cases

## 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

### 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/court-criminal-appeals/judges/d-kelly-thomas-jr-retired-2022)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/d-kelly-thomas-jr-retired-2022)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/d-kelly-thomas-jr-retired-2022)
- [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)
- [D. Kelly Thomas Jr.](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/d-kelly-thomas-jr-retired-2022)
- [www.tncourts.gov](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/d-kelly-thomas-jr-retired-2022)
- [Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8291/kelly-d-thomas-jr/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8291/kelly-d-thomas-jr/)
- [D. Kelly Thomas](https://ballotpedia.org/D._Kelly_Thomas)
- [D. Kelly Thomas Jr.](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/d-kelly-thomas-jr-retired-2022)

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