---
title: "Elisabeth A. French | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elisabeth-a-french-circuit-court-judge-alabama-tenth-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Elisabeth A. French

Alabama Tenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

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


### Education


### Additional information

- Judicial Award of Merit (2019, Alabama State Bar Association)
- French Firm, Pittman, Dutton & Hellums, and the Law Office of Joe L. Tucker Jr..
- Continues to hear cases herself
- Oversees court administration
- Assigns judges to divisions
- Has disposed of thousands of cases during her judicial career
- Has supervisory authority over court officials
- First woman and first African American Presiding Judge in Alabama
- Before joining the judiciary, French had a 14-year private legal practice managing complex litigation, including personal injury, contracts, civil rights, and criminal cases.
- Member, Magic City Bar Association and Birmingham Bar Association
- Former president, Alabama State Bar Association



## 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.