--- title: "Tommy J. Smith | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-25" --- # Tommy J. Smith Candler County Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Candler County Superior Court - State: Georgia - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-25 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge Tommy Joe Smith ran for re-election in the general election on May 19, 2026, as a nonpartisan candidate for the Georgia 8th Superior Court District Middle Circuit. - Law clerk, attorney, municipal court judge, solicitor general, and state court judge - Judge Tommy J. Smith plays a key role in maintaining legal integrity across multiple counties in Georgia’s Middle Judicial Circuit - He works alongside Chief Judge Robert S. Reeves, with Smith primarily associated with Toombs County ### Education - Bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University and law degree from the University of Georgia. ### Additional information - He handles a broad spectrum of civil and criminal matters, participates in scheduled court sessions and trial terms, and continues to serve as an elected judge following his 2026 re-election campaign - One of the elected judges of the Superior Court in Georgia’s Middle Judicial Circuit, which includes Emanuel, Toombs, Washington, Jefferson, and Candler Counties. - He presides over both civil and criminal cases, including felonies, divorces, child custody and support, adoptions, family violence protective orders, name changes, parental rights, garnishments, and land disputes. - While detailed biographical information is limited, he is recognized as an incumbent judge with experience in the local judicial system. ## 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 ### electronic devices and recording Scope: statewide Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure. Evidence excerpt: Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court Rules [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording devices and courtroom access Scope: statewide For Georgia Superior Court proceedings, statewide Rule 22 governs recording devices and courtroom recording; counsel should confirm judge approval and courtroom conditions before using recording, photographic, or comparable electronic presentation equipment. Evidence excerpt: The new version will take effect on May 1, 2018. [Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5f4e40edbc817700176b91c4/) - [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5f4e40edbc817700176b91c4/) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) - [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5f4e40edbc817700176b91c4/) - [Gov. Kemp Names Tommy J. Smith to Middle Judicial Circuit](https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-08-17/gov-kemp-names-tommy-j-smith-middle-judicial-circuit) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith", "name": "Tommy J. Smith | KnowJudges", "description": "Tommy J. Smith, Candler County Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-25", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith#judge", "name": "Tommy J. Smith", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Candler County Superior Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/5f4e40edbc817700176b91c4/" ], "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "University of Georgia" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Georgia", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/georgia" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tommy J. Smith", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tommy-j-smith" } ] } ] } ``` ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Uniform Superior Court Rules](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-815bee855bfd141a25d75d36) — Superior Court proceedings. Collected April 9, 2026 compilation; amendments effective November 5, 2026 are future on this collection date and are not applied. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://assets.georgiacourts.gov/4/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/14025702/UNIFORM-SUPERIOR-COURT-RULES-2026_04_09.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.