Larry Ables II at a glance
- Current role
- General Sessions Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Larry Ables II
General Sessions Court Judge · Tennessee General Sessions Court, Hamilton County
Biography
Professional career
- Listed by the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts as the General Sessions Court Judge for Hamilton County, a position he was elected to in 2022
- General Sessions Court Judge for Hamilton County, Tennessee, elected in 2022, serving in Chattanooga’s local criminal justice system
- Seasoned legal professional and public servant, now serving as Hamilton County’s General Sessions Court Judge
- His tenure as Chief Magistrate involved establishing strict protocols and institutional responses to criminal justice issues, and his legal career emphasized compassionate defense and adherence to due process
Education
Additional information
- Former Chief Magistrate for the General Sessions Court, where he collaborated with the Hamilton County Commission, other courts, law enforcement, and the mayor to improve criminal justice protocols
- His background in law enforcement, criminal defense, and judicial leadership, combined with his recent high-profile ruling, underscores his role in both shaping and upholding justice in Chattanooga’s courts
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.
Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Tennessee General Sessions Court, Hamilton County
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗