---
title: "Jeffrey Todd Stearns | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jeffrey-todd-stearns-circuit-court-judge-alabama-twenty-first-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Jeffrey Todd Stearns

Alabama Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Twenty-First 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://escambia.alacourt.gov/judges)
- [Official roster](https://escambia.alacourt.gov/judges)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://escambia.alacourt.gov/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

- The presiding circuit judge for Alabama’s Twenty‐First Judicial Circuit, serving in Escambia County, and has been on the bench since 2020 after being appointed by Governor Kay Ivey.
- Public Service: Stearns has stated that becoming a circuit judge was a long‐term goal, and he sought a full six‐year term in the 2022 election Tri-City Ledger
- Escambia County Public Defender (1997–2007), Assistant District Attorney, partner at Otts, Moore, Coale & Godwin, and Atmore City Attorney (2016) Tri-City Ledger

### Education

- Cumberland School of Law Tri-City Ledger — J.D. (1992)

### Additional information

- Appointed: July 31, 2020, to fill the unexpired term of retiring Judge Dave Jordan Tri-City Ledger.
- Licensed with the Alabama Bar in 1992 Tri-City Ledger.
- Ceremonies: Has presided over judicial investitures and oath‐taking events, such as the swearing‐in of new judges in Escambia County Tri-City Ledger.
- Public Records: No disclosed Brady material is currently on record for Judge Stearns Brady List.
- Contact & Court Info: Official court records and procedural rules for the Twenty‐First Judicial Circuit are available through the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.
- Judicial Duties: Presides over criminal, civil, and family cases in the Twenty‐First Judicial Circuit.
- Professional Recognition: Listed in official Alabama judicial rosters and legal directories.



## 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.
