--- title: "Joshua C. Turnbow | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joshua-c-turnbow-tn-circuit-court-judge-cheatham-dickson-houston-humphreys-stewart" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Joshua C. Turnbow Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 23 (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart) · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 23 (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart) - State: Tennessee - Role: Circuit 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 - 23rd District Attorney's Office; 2017-2024 - 23rd District Public Defender's Office; 2016-2017 - 24th District Attorney's Office; 2013-2016 - Judge Turnbow emphasizes justice, mercy, and humility in his role - He has expressed a goal of seeking justice while providing opportunities for mercy where appropriate, aiming to balance fairness with compassion in his decisions ### Education - University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law — J.D. (2013) - THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA Undergraduate 2009 - bachelor — University of Tennessee — 2009 ### Additional information - Year Elected/Appointed: 2024 - Judge Joshua Turnbow joined the 23rd Judicial District Circuit Court by Governor Bill Lee on September 9, 2024, and was sworn in on September 13, 2024, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, and colleagues. - Before his judicial appointment, Turnbow worked in both the district attorney’s office and the public defender’s office, accumulating extensive courtroom experience over several years. - His swearing-in ceremony was personally meaningful, as he wore the robe of his mentor, Judge Burch, symbolizing continuity and respect for the judicial tradition - Early in law school, he participated in a mentorship program with then-Circuit Court Judge Robert Burch, gaining firsthand courtroom experience and insight into judicial responsibilities ## 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/joshua-c-turnbow) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/joshua-c-turnbow) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/joshua-c-turnbow) - [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) - [Joshua C. Turnbow | Tennessee Administrative Office of ...](https://tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/joshua-c-turnbow) - [Joshua C. Turnbow](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/joshua-c-turnbow) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joshua-c-turnbow-tn-circuit-court-judge-cheatham-dickson-houston-humphreys-stewart", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joshua-c-turnbow-tn-circuit-court-judge-cheatham-dickson-houston-humphreys-stewart", "name": "Joshua C. Turnbow | KnowJudges", "description": "Joshua C. Turnbow, Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 23 (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Stewart). 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