--- title: "Jimmy Lea | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jimmy-lea-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-wilson" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Jimmy Lea Tennessee General Sessions Court, Wilson County · General Sessions Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee General Sessions Court, Wilson County - State: Tennessee - Role: General Sessions 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 - Prior to his appointment, he practiced law since 2002, gaining experience in multiple areas both in private practice and as an attorney for the State of Tennessee. - Sworn in as a General Sessions Judge for Wilson County on January 1, 2021, following the retirement of Judge Haywood Barry - General Sessions Courts in Tennessee are county-level courts, meaning Judge Lea’s decisions primarily affect residents and cases originating within Wilson County - His experience as both a practicing attorney and former Assistant District Attorney equips him to handle a wide range of legal issues within the General Sessions Court ### Education ### Additional information - Year Elected/Appointed: 2022 - Sworn in by Judge Brody Kane in 2021, marking the start of his tenure on the bench - Early judicial actions included granting motions to reunite families affected by bond conditions, demonstrating his engagement with both civil and criminal matters - Legal expertise spans private practice and state-level prosecution, providing a well-rounded perspective on both civil and criminal law Judge Lea’s role is integral to the administration of justice in Wilson County, ensuring that local civil and criminal cases are adjudicated efficiently and fairly. - His professional background includes serving as an Assistant District Attorney, which provided him with extensive courtroom and prosecutorial experience before ascending to the bench - As a General Sessions Judge, Judge Lea presides over a court of limited jurisdiction that handles civil matters, misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and other county-level legal issues. ## 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/general-sessions-courts/judges/jimmy-lea) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jimmy-lea) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jimmy-lea) - [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) - [Jimmy Lea](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/jimmy-lea) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jimmy-lea-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-wilson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jimmy-lea-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-wilson", "name": "Jimmy Lea | KnowJudges", "description": "Jimmy Lea, Tennessee General Sessions Court, Wilson County. 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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.