--- title: "James Jones Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-jones-jr-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # James Jones Jr. Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby) · Criminal Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby) - State: Tennessee - Role: Criminal Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Nonpartisan judge for Division III of the 30th Judicial District Criminal Court in Shelby County, Tennessee, elected in 2022 and serving until 2030 - In August 2023, the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct issued a public reprimand to Judge Jones for using his judicial office to advocate for friends in Florida - Position: Judge, Division III, 30th Judicial District Criminal Court, Shelby County, TN ### Education - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Law School 2010 - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Undergraduate 2007 ### Additional information - Before becoming a judge, Jones practiced law for over a decade as sole proprietor of the Law Office of James Jones in Bartlett, TN - handling state and federal criminal defense cases and civil litigation. - He has extensive trial experience, having tried dozens of cases to jury verdict and bench trial ## 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.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/james-jones) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/james-jones) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/james-jones) - [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) - [James Jones Jr.](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/james-jones) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-jones-jr-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-jones-jr-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby", "name": "James Jones Jr. | KnowJudges", "description": "James Jones Jr., Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby). 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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://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.