--- title: "Matthew Cowan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-cowan-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-cannon" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Matthew Cowan Tennessee General Sessions Court, Cannon County · General Sessions Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee General Sessions Court, Cannon 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 - Judge Matthew D. Cowan is the elected General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge for Cannon County, Tennessee, serving since August 2022 - Before his judicial role, Judge Cowan practiced law in Woodbury since 2015 and has held multiple public service legal positions. - Position: General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge, Cannon County, TN ### Education ### Additional information - He is also active in his community, residing in Cannon County with his family and being a member of First Baptist Church in Woodbury Cannon County, Tennessee ## 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/matthew-d-cowan) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/matthew-d-cowan) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/matthew-d-cowan) - [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) - [Matthew Cowan](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/matthew-d-cowan) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-cowan-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-cannon", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-cowan-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-cannon", "name": "Matthew Cowan | KnowJudges", "description": "Matthew Cowan, Tennessee General Sessions Court, Cannon 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.