Emily F. Abbott at a glance
- Current role
- Criminal Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Emily F. Abbott
Criminal Court Judge · Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 6 (Knox)
Judicial assignments
- Tennessee 6th Judicial DistrictCriminal Court Judge
Reported in the official 2025–2026 Tennessee Blue Book. Later appointments or departures may not yet appear in this edition.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source - Tennessee 6th Judicial DistrictTrial Court Judge
Official directory evidence was retrieved through its search index. The complete current roster has not been certified.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Assistant District Attorney, 7th Judicial District, 2009-2025
- Assistant District Attorney, 4th Judicial District, 2007-2009
- Judge Emily Abbott brings nearly two decades of experience in the criminal justice system in East Tennessee
Education
- Vanderbilt University — B.A. (2003)
- University of Tennessee College of Law — law degree
Additional information
- Running to retain her Criminal Court seat in the 2026 elections
- Year Elected/Appointed: 2025
- Her prosecutorial work earned her respect for fairness, professionalism, and ethical standards In 2025, she was appointed by Governor Bill Lee to fill the Knox County Criminal Court Division I vacancy, following a rigorous selection process that included public interviews and meetings with the Governor and his legal staff
- Began her legal career as a prosecutor in 2007
- Beyond her legal career, Judge Abbott has been active in her community, including leadership roles in Cub Scouts and Scouting for America, and she maintains strong ties to the Bearden community in Knoxville
- On the bench, she is recognized for listening carefully, treating all courtroom participants with dignity, and applying the law impartially
- handling thousands of cases ranging from first-degree murder, second-degree murder, rape, child rape, drug offenses, white-collar crime, burglary, theft, DUI, aggravated assault, child abuse, and kidnapping to minor traffic violations
- She has presided over numerous jury trials and has experience in both criminal and family law matters, including orders of protection and wills
- During law school, she was active in the Criminal Law Society and contributed to pro bono initiatives, including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
- Judge Abbott manages a personal docket of 60–65 cases, frequently handling 12–15 cases per day, including preliminary hearings, bond hearings, motions to suppress, and other pre-trial motions
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.
Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 6 (Knox)
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. 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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗