--- title: "R. Steven Randolph | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-steven-randolph-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-putnam" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # R. Steven Randolph Tennessee General Sessions Court, Putnam County · General Sessions Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee General Sessions Court, Putnam 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 - Putnam County General Sessions, Juvenile, and Probate Judge in Tennessee, elected in 2022, with a background in private practice, public service, and legal advocacy - Judge of the Putnam County General Sessions Court in Tennessee, elected in 2022, with a background in law practice, public service, and community work - Position: Judge, Putnam County General Sessions Court (also serves in Juvenile and Probate divisions) - The Putnam County General Sessions Court is located in the Justice Center in Cookeville, TN - Private legal practice for over 22 years, opening his own law firm in Cookeville the biographical record+1 - He is based at the Putnam County Justice Center in Cookeville, Tennessee, and is listed in the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts’ official judicial roster ### Education - Nashville School of Law the biographical record+1 — J.D. (1999) - B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice – Tennessee Technological University, 1995 the biographical record+1 ### Additional information - since September 2022 - Biography of Judge R. Steven Randolph - City Attorney for the City of Algood for approximately six years - General Counsel for Hope Center Adoption & Family Services from its inception until his election as judge the biographical record+1 - public reprimand from the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct - after posting a social media video warning that truant children would be required to volunteer at a local recycling center. - The Board found the statement constituted a proclamation of pre-determined sentences, which could have unintended public consequences - born and raised in Putnam County, Tennessee - He is a Republican and is active in the judicial community - Office: 421 E. Spring St., Room 1C07, Cookeville, TN 38501 Tennessee Administrative Office of the CourtsTennessee Administrative Office of the C...+1 - Phone: (931) 528‐5541 Tennessee Administrative Office of the CourtsTennessee Administrative Office of the C...+1 - websites. ## 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/r-steven-randolph) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/r-steven-randolph) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/r-steven-randolph) - [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) - [R. Steven Randolph](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/r-steven-randolph) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-steven-randolph-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-putnam", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-steven-randolph-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-putnam", "name": "R. Steven Randolph | KnowJudges", "description": "R. Steven Randolph, Tennessee General Sessions Court, Putnam County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-steven-randolph-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-putnam#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-steven-randolph-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-putnam#judge", "name": "R. 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Steven Randolph", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-steven-randolph-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-putnam" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.