--- title: "Steven W. Sword | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-sword-tn-court-of-criminal-appeals-judge-statewide" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Steven W. Sword Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals · Court of Criminal Appeals Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals - State: Tennessee - Role: Court of Criminal Appeals Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - In addition to his civilian legal career, Sword has held the role of a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2004, holding the rank of Captain - Judge on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division, having assumed office on March 24, 2025 - Criminal Court Judge, Sixth Judicial District (2011-2025) - Before his appellate appointment, Sword held the role of a Knox County Criminal Court Judge for the 6th Judicial District from 2011 to 2025, initially appointed by Governor Bill Haslam. - Judge Advocate General, United States Army Reserves, Captain, 2004-2014 - Assistant District Attorney, Sixth Judicial District (1995-2011) - Prior to becoming a judge, he worked as an assistant district attorney in Knox County for 15 years (1995–2011), gaining extensive prosecutorial experience. ### Education - THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE Law School 1995 - Bachelor’s degree from King College in 1992 and his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1995 - KING UNIVERSITY Undergraduate 1992 ### Additional information - Year Elected/Appointed: 2025 - Appointed by Governor Bill Lee to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Judge James C. Witt, Jr., and his appointment was confirmed by the Tennessee General Assembly. - His roles include Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Knox County Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Section of the Knoxville Bar Association, Chaplain of American Legion Post 2, and Lay Leader at Fellowship Evangelical Free Church. - His current retention election for the Court of Criminal Appeals is part of Tennessee’s judicial retention process - He is a member of the Knoxville Bar Association and the Tennessee Trial Judges Association, and has been active in community service. - Sword is registered as a Republican. - He has previously run unopposed in both primary and general elections for Knox County Criminal Court. ## 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/court-criminal-appeals/judges/steven-w-sword) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/steven-w-sword) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/steven-w-sword) - [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) - [Steven W. Sword](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/court-criminal-appeals/judges/steven-w-sword) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-sword-tn-court-of-criminal-appeals-judge-statewide", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-sword-tn-court-of-criminal-appeals-judge-statewide", "name": "Steven W. Sword | KnowJudges", "description": "Steven W. Sword, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. 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/steven-w-sword-tn-court-of-criminal-appeals-judge-statewide#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-sword-tn-court-of-criminal-appeals-judge-statewide#judge", "name": "Steven W. 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Sword", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-sword-tn-court-of-criminal-appeals-judge-statewide" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.