A circuit court judge whose territory includes Cannon County has announced plans to retire early next year. Judge Royce Taylor has notified Governor Lee that his retirement date from his court in the 16th Judicial District will be March 2, 2020. The notice to the governor will allow the search process for Judge Taylor’s replacement to begin.
Taylor’s territory also includes Rutherford County. The state’s Trial Court Vacancy Commission will select an interim replacement for Taylor. They will accept nominations and hold public hearings before sending three names to the governor, who will appoint a judge to serve until August of next year. At that time, the person selected can choose to either run or not run for the seat. All state judges will be up for election in 2022.
Judge Royce Taylor has served 21 years on the bench. Prior to that, he was a Murfreesboro attorney for more than two decades. A graduate of the University of Tennessee and the U. S. Naval Academy, he also served as a Navy SEAL during his service in the military.