---
title: "Robert Lincoln | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-lincoln-tn-general-sessions-court-judge-washington"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Robert Lincoln

Tennessee General Sessions Court, Washington County · General Sessions Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee General Sessions Court, Washington 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 Robert Lincoln is a long‐time Washington County, TN judge serving on the General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court, elected in 1998 and re‐elected in 2006 and 2014, with a career spanning nearly three decades on the bench

### Education

- B.A. from Randolph‐Macon College (1984) and his J.D. from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (1989).

### Additional information

- Serving as 2018 recipient of the McCain‐Abernathy Award from the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges for outstanding service to juvenile justice
- Before joining the judiciary, he worked for two years as staff to U.S. Congressman James H. Quillen and practiced law in private practice
- A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, Lincoln is known for his work in both criminal and juvenile justice
- focusing on community service and mental health initiatives

## 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/robert-lincoln)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/robert-lincoln)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/robert-lincoln)
- [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)
- [Robert Lincoln](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/general-sessions-courts/judges/robert-lincoln)

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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.