Judicial Election Criminal Court Candidates

KNOX COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT

Criminal Court Judge Division I
 

Steven W. Sword

Education/Schools Attended
King College, BA in History/Minor Bible and Religion, 1988-1992; University of Tennessee College of Law, JD, 1992-1995; Judge Advocate General's School, JAG Advanced Course, 2011

Legal Experience
James S. Evans and Associates, Associate, 1995; Knox County District Attorney General's Office, Assistant DA, 1995-2011; Knox County Criminal Court Judge, Judge, 2011 - present

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Foundation Fellow, Knoxville Bar Association, Tennessee Trial Judge's Association

Civic Involvement
Fellowship Church, Elder; King University Trustee and numerous boards; American Legion Chaplain, Post 2

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Over 300

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I have presided over Knox County Criminal Court, Division I for over ten years. Currently, I have conducted over 275 jury trials and handled thousands of cases. I worked as an Assistant DA in Knox County for sixteen years during which time I handled thousands of cases and investigations including juvenile court, sessions court, and criminal court.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
As the senior Criminal Court Judge for Knox County, I have been able to exercise my leadership gifts frequently. This includes the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic. I am a student of the law and enjoy taking the time to research the legal issues before me. I have a calm and friendly demeanor that I use to help the attorneys, parties, and witnesses feel relaxed and heard.

Criminal Court Judge Division II
 

Kyle A. Hixson

Education/Schools Attended
The University of Tennessee College of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence, summa cum laude, 2008; The University of Tennessee, Bachelor of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, 2005

Legal Experience
13 years

Legal Affiliations
Tennessee Judicial Conference; Tennessee Trial Judges Association; Knoxville Bar Association; Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court; The Federalist Society, Knoxville Lawyers Chapter

Civic Involvement
Sertoma Center, Board of Directors; CASA of East Tennessee, Past Member of Board of Directors

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
1,000s

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Criminal Court, Division II, opens daily and hears numerous criminal cases. We generally schedule four jury trials every week and many more cases for status, motions, or other hearings.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I have served in this position since being appointed by Governor Lee and subsequently winning election in 2020. I will continue to work hard to serve the citizens of Knox County as Criminal Court Judge.

Criminal Court Judge Division III
 

G. Scott Green

Education/Schools Attended
Middle Tennessee State University BS in Political Science (1984); University of Tennessee College of Law JD (1987)

Legal Experience
Criminal Court Judge Division III (2014-present); Valliant, Harrison, Schwartz, and Green (2009-2014); Eshbaugh, Waters, Strange-Boston, and Green (2003-2009); Assistant District Attorney Sixth Judicial District (1996-2003); Assistant District Attorney Fourth Judicial District (1989-1996); Law Office of David Maxwell (1987-1989)

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association; Tennessee Trial Judges Association; Tennessee Judicial Conference; Tennessee Pattern Jury Instruction (Criminal) Committee

Civic Involvement
Cokesbury United Methodist Church

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
In excess of 500 jury trials

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Division III is one of three Criminal Courts within Knox County. On a daily basis all three Criminal Courts handle the entire spectrum of criminal cases from Class C Misdemeanors through First Degree Murder cases. On a daily basis each Criminal Court will conduct arraignments/initial appearances, hear motions and contested hearings, and accept agreed dispositions of pending cases by way of plea agreement or announcement. Additionally, each of the three Criminal Courts preside over jury trials which may take one day or multiple days/weeks to conclude. 

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
I have been a part of the criminal justice system for almost thirty-five years during which time I have been involved, in one facet or another, with literally thousands of cases. During the most recent seven and one half years I have presided over several thousand criminal cases as a Criminal Court Judge. I strive every day that I take the bench to be patient and to treat every one who appears before me with fairness, courtesy, and respect.