---
title: "Jim Williams | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jim-williams-tn-municipal-court-judge-hawkins"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Jim Williams

Tennessee Municipal Court, Hawkins County · Municipal Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Municipal Court, Hawkins County
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Municipal 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

- Democratic Party candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor (1974) Judge: Akron Municipal Court (1983–1989) Summit County Court of Common Pleas (1989–2005), first Black judge in the county’s history Civil rights leadership: NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and numerous community boards

### Education


### Additional information

- Year Elected/Appointed: 2024
- James H. Williams — Remembered in a 2023 eulogy as a retired judge and active church leader, known for his faith, community service, and legal career
- James B. Williams, Jr. — Appointed Magistrate, 15th Judicial Circuit, Florida (2018)
- Career: Taught at Akron Public Schools; worked in city planning and urban development U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio (1978–1982) Akron City Council member
- There are several notable individuals named Jim Williams who have held the role of judges in different fields

## 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/municipal-courts/judges/jim-williams)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/jim-williams)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/jim-williams)
- [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)
- [Jim Williams](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/jim-williams)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c1debbfd57a23e78c6318aec) — 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://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.