---
title: "Deborah McGowin | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/deborah-mcgowin-district-court-judge-mobile-county-district-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Deborah McGowin

Mobile County District Court · District Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Mobile County District Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: District Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## 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://mobile.alacourt.gov/district-judges)
- [Official roster](https://mobile.alacourt.gov/district-judges)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://mobile.alacourt.gov/district-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)
- [Mobile County - District Court Judges](https://mobile.alacourt.gov/district-court-judges/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The District Judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Mobile County, Alabama, appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in June 2026
- Director of Courts for the City of Mobile (2019–2026) Mobile County - Thirteenth Circuit Court of Alabama
- Former Acting Municipal Court Judge for the City of Mobile (2019) Mobile County - Thirteenth Circuit Court of Alabama
- Private practice in Alabama from 1991 until 2019 Mobile County - Thirteenth Circuit Court of Alabama
- Governor Kay Ivey appointed McGowin to serve as District Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Mobile County, succeeding

### Education


### Additional information

- The appointment was announced on June 9, 2026, and McGowin has stated that she will approach her role with humility, integrity, preparation, and impartiality, aiming to maintain public trust in the judicial system Office of the Governor of Alabama.
- held the role of a part-time referee for the Mobile County Circuit Court Department of Investigation and Recovery (1996–2002) Mobile County - Thirteenth Circuit Court of Alabama.
- Member of the Alabama Bar Association, Mobile Bar Association, and former member of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Mobile County - Thirteenth Circuit Court of Alabama.



## 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.