---
title: "James Curwood Witt Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James Curwood Witt Jr.

Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee, 1997-present
- James Curwood Witt Jr. (1948–2024) was a distinguished judge on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, serving 27 years, and a respected public servant remembered for his legal wisdom, leadership, and community involvement
- Judge Witt joined the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Section by Governor Don Sundquist in January 1997, and retained in 1998, 2006, and 2014

### Education

- William Jewell College — B.A.

### Additional information

- He won a 2022 retention election and served until his death in August 2024.
- James Curwood Witt Sr. and Gloria, he was known affectionately as “Curwood”.
- He enjoyed fishing, golf, reading, woodworking, piano, and British sports cars.
- He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Madisonville and Middlebrook Pike United Methodist in Knoxville
- He also held the role of an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law and held leadership roles in the Tennessee and Monroe County Bar Associations, the Tennessee Council of Juvenile Court Judges, and various educational and community boards

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8295/james-curwood-witt-jr/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8295/james-curwood-witt-jr/)
- [Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8295/james-curwood-witt-jr/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8295/james-curwood-witt-jr/)
- [tncourts.gov](https://tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/Annual%20Report%20Final%20for%20Printer.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8295/james-curwood-witt-jr/)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295",
      "name": "James Curwood Witt Jr. | KnowJudges",
      "description": "James Curwood Witt Jr., Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295#judge",
      "name": "James Curwood Witt Jr.",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8295/james-curwood-witt-jr/"
      ],
      "alumniOf": [
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
          "name": "William Jewell College"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Tennessee",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/tennessee"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "James Curwood Witt Jr.",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-curwood-witt-jr-8295"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```