--- title: "Kenya Hooks | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kenya-hooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-shelby" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Kenya Hooks Tennessee Municipal Court, Shelby County · Municipal Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Municipal Court, Shelby 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 - Kenya Hooks has held the role of Judge, Division 1, Memphis Municipal Court since September 1, 2022, following a special general election in which she defeated incumbent Carolyn Watkins - Nonpartisan judge for Division 1 of the Memphis Municipal Court in Tennessee, elected in 2022 and serving until 2027 ### Education - Law degree from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis. ### Additional information - Earlier career included retail banking and legal assistance work, including for the late Dr. Benjamin Hooks, whose mentorship inspired her public service - She also worked in retail banking for seven years before entering law - Beyond the courtroom, Hooks is deeply involved in Junior Achievement, a program that teaches civic engagement and career skills to students. ## 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/kenya-hooks) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/kenya-hooks) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/kenya-hooks) - [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) - [Kenya Hooks](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/kenya-hooks) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kenya-hooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-shelby", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kenya-hooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-shelby", "name": "Kenya Hooks | KnowJudges", "description": "Kenya Hooks, Tennessee Municipal Court, Shelby 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.