Knox County is mourning the loss of Criminal Court Judge Scott Green, whose career in the justice system spanned decades and touched countless lives.

Green, 64, died Friday, October 30, 2026. He had served as judge of Division III of Knox County Criminal Court since his election in 2014.

Throughout his career, Green worked on nearly every side of the courtroom, serving as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge. Those who knew him remember a man committed to fairness, integrity and treating others with respect.

Knox County Sheriff Brent Gibson joined the community in remembering Green’s contributions.

“Judge Green understood that serving in our justice system was about more than the position you held, but about the people you served and the difference you could make in their lives. His integrity, fairness, and commitment to doing what was right will leave a lasting impression on our community. I am grateful for his years of service. He will certainly be missed,” Gibson said in a statement released by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Green graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1987. He served as an assistant district attorney in Tennessee’s Fourth Judicial District from 1989 to 1996 and in the Sixth Judicial District from 1996 to 2003. He later practiced criminal defense law in Knoxville before becoming a judge.

Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen also paid tribute to Green, remembering his dedication to helping people and his steady commitment to following the law.

His colleagues recalled not only his knowledge of the law but also his willingness to mentor others and the personal relationships he developed throughout the legal community.

In a 2022 candidate profile published by the Knoxville Bar Association, Green described his approach to serving on the bench:

“I strive every day that I take the bench to be patient and to treat everyone who appears before me with fairness, courtesy and respect.”

Those words offer a fitting reflection of the principles that guided his career.

Green leaves a legacy of public service that extended beyond courtroom decisions to the people he worked alongside, mentored and served.

KnoxTNToday joins the community in extending condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and all who knew him.

Photo: Knox County Criminal Court Judge Scott Green. Courtesy of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

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