A state intermediate appellate court / Established 1990

Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee

Nashville · An intermediate appellate court in Tennessee.

The Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee is an intermediate appellate court in Tennessee, the tier between the state's trial courts and the Supreme Court of Tennessee. Its judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment, the same method Tennessee uses for its court of last resort. This page lists every judge to serve on the court, current and former.

14
Judges in history
10
Currently serving
Appointment
Selection
8-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Jeff S. Bivins2011–2014
Thomas T. Woodall1996–2006
Jerry L. Smith1995–2014
Joseph Tipton1990–2014

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee are appointed by the governor to 8-year terms. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).