---
title: "Patrick Pinkston | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patrick-pinkston-circuit-court-judge-alabama-nineteenth-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Patrick Pinkston

Alabama Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: Circuit Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## 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 recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://autauga.alacourt.gov/circuit-court/)
- [Official roster](https://autauga.alacourt.gov/circuit-court/)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://autauga.alacourt.gov/circuit-court/)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Special Circuit Court Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit (by appointment of the Presiding Circuit Judge)
- Special District Court Judge for Autauga and Chilton Counties
- Circuit Court Judge, Place #1 for Elmore County, Alabama
- held the role of legal counsel for Elmore County, the Sheriff’s Department, the Revenue Commissioner, and the Probate Judge
- Judge Patrick D. Pinkston is the Circuit Court Judge for Elmore County, Alabama, and also serves as the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit Elmore County - Nineteenth Circuit Court of Alabama

### Education


### Additional information

- Won his first political election in 2014 with over 72% of the vote in Elmore County
- Appointed to the bench by Governor Robert Bentley in August 2013
- Awarded a “Preeminent” Martindale-Hubbell AV rating in 2012, the youngest of only three active Elmore County lawyers to receive it
- Practiced law privately for over 18 years
- handling diverse cases for individuals, businesses, and public agencies
- Member of the Alabama Supreme Court Standing Committee on the Rules of Judicial Administration
- Serves on the Alabama Quality Assurance Board (Department of Human Resources)
- Secretary of the Alabama Association of Juvenile Court Judges
- Rated 5.0/5 in legal knowledge, analytical capability, judgment, communication, and legal experience



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2bb56569e2cd3665169eeff4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Criminal proceedings only.  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://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.