---
title: "Paula L. Skahan | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paula-l-skahan-tn-criminal-court-judge-shelby"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Paula L. Skahan

Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby) · Criminal Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Criminal Court, Judicial District 30 (Shelby)
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Criminal 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

- Skahan held the role of Division I judge of the 30th Judicial District Criminal Court in Shelby County, Tennessee, from her appointment in December 2004 by then-Governor Phil Bredesen through her resignation in June 2025
- Judge for over two decades on the Shelby County Criminal Court Division I bench in Tennessee, retiring in June 2025 after being appointed in 2004 and elected in 2006
- 1987-1990, Shelby County District Attorney General's Office, Assistant District Attorney
- Shelby County Public Defender's Office, Assistant Public Defender

### Education

- UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Law School 1985
- B.A. from the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga (1982) and her J.D. from Memphis State University (1985)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA Under Graduate 1982

### Additional information

- Attorney at Lucchesi/Skahan (2000–2004) and Thompson/Skahan (1990–2000)

## 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/judges/paula-l-skahan)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/paula-l-skahan)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/paula-l-skahan)
- [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)
- [Paula L. Skahan](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/paula-l-skahan)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c1debbfd57a23e78c6318aec) — 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.