--- title: "Mark S. Stapleton | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mark-s-stapleton-tn-circuit-court-judge-greene-hamblen-hancock-hawkins" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Mark S. Stapleton Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 3 (Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins) · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 3 (Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins) - 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 - Appointed by Governor Bill Lee in April 2026 to serve as the 3rd Judicial District Circuit Court Judge, filling the vacancy left by Judge William Phillips II’s elevation to the Tennessee Court of Appeals ### Education - DEPAUL UNIVERSITY Other 1990 - SAMFORD UNIVERSITY Law School 1989 - THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE Undergraduate 1985 ### Additional information - Sworn in on May 1, 2026, and subsequently won the August 2026 election to secure a full eight-year term, which will expire in 2030 - Year Elected/Appointed: 2026 - Before his judicial appointment, Stapleton was the founding attorney at Stapleton Law Office, P.C. in Rogersville, Tennessee. - As a Circuit Court Judge, Stapleton presides over civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals from Juvenile, Municipal, and General Sessions Courts. - His legal career has been focused on serving the communities within the 3rd Judicial District - His jurisdiction spans Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, and Hawkins counties, where he is responsible for ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice - He has extensive experience in civil and criminal law, and he is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. ## 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/mark-s-stapleton) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/mark-s-stapleton) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/mark-s-stapleton) - [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) - [Mark S. Stapleton](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/mark-s-stapleton) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mark-s-stapleton-tn-circuit-court-judge-greene-hamblen-hancock-hawkins", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mark-s-stapleton-tn-circuit-court-judge-greene-hamblen-hancock-hawkins", "name": "Mark S. Stapleton | KnowJudges", "description": "Mark S. Stapleton, Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 3 (Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins). 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