---
title: "James Smith | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-smith-7245"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# James Smith

Appellate Court of Illinois · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Appellate Court of Illinois — recorded service from 2002

### Education

- John Marshall Law School — J.D. (1975)

### Additional information


## 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

### recording and broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved.

Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### official record

Scope: statewide

The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services.

Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court.

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7245/james-smith/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7245/james-smith/)
- [Appellate Court of Illinois current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7245/james-smith/)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7245/james-smith/)
- [James Fitzgerald Smith - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/James_Fitzgerald_Smith)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2089d8e032646c30d3e1fcec) — 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](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Illinois Appellate Court](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-496a290e8b5af5294036b271) — 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](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/bfba1aa7-2408-416d-89b5-88fd3af5a247/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Appellate%20Court%20Policy%20No%20Forms.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.