--- title: "Richard M. Brooks | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-m-brooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-smith" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Richard M. Brooks Tennessee Municipal Court, Smith County · Municipal Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Municipal Court, Smith County - State: Tennessee - Role: Municipal 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 ### Education - Richard Brooks obtained his LLB from Rhodes University and joined the Bar as an advocate in 1986. ### Additional information - Despite a 2013 motor vehicle accident that left him without the use of his right eye, affecting his depth perception, Brooks continued his legal career and pursued a position on the judiciary. - Year Elected/Appointed: 1978 - Judge Richard Brooks continues to contribute to the South African judiciary, combining legal expertise with a focus on social justice and community protection - He has held the role of an acting judge at the Eastern Cape High Court, including stints in Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown - Judge Brooks has presided over high-profile cases, including the Lusikisiki mass shooting trial, which involves eight men accused of murdering 18 people in Ngobozana village. ## 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/municipal-courts/judges/richard-m-brooks) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/richard-m-brooks) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/richard-m-brooks) - [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) - [Richard M. Brooks](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/municipal-courts/judges/richard-m-brooks) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-m-brooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-smith", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-m-brooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-smith", "name": "Richard M. Brooks | KnowJudges", "description": "Richard M. Brooks, Tennessee Municipal Court, Smith County. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-m-brooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-smith#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-m-brooks-tn-municipal-court-judge-smith#judge", "name": "Richard M. 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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.