NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen has appointed Kenneth F. Irvine Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn., to serve as special criminal court judge for Knox County effective Monday, August 20. Irvine currently serves as an assistant district attorney for Knox County.
"The experience Ken Irvine brings to this position will allow matters before the criminal court to proceed during Judge Jenkins' temporary absence," said Bredesen. "I wish Judge Jenkins a speedy recovery from his illness and know that Ken will do an outstanding job and will enjoy the confidence of the lawyers who appear before him. I appreciate his willingness to serve the state in this capacity on a temporary basis."
Irvine has served as an assistant district attorney since 2006 and was an assistant public defender from 2004 to 2006. After graduating from the University of Tennessee School of Law in Knoxville, he clerked for former Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Joseph B. Jones and practiced law in the private sector.
"It is an honor to have the confidence of Governor Bredesen in making this appointment, and I am happy to be able to help out by serving in this capacity on a short term basis," said Irvine.
Tennessee law provides a process for the appointment of a special temporary judge in the event sickness or disability prevents a state judge from carrying out his duties. TCA 17-2-116 (a)(1) states: "the governor shall appoint and commission a special judge who shall have the same qualifications as the regular judge to attend and hold such courts for and during the absence or disability of any such judges."