Knox County Sheriff Legal Unit
The KCSO Legal Unit is responsible with overseeing any legal litigation responsibilities and concerns involving KCSO.
Knox County
Sheriff's Office
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Knox County
Sheriff's Office
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Understanding the law to protect our officers and citizens
Our legal team's experience and dedication provides the best of legal knowledge and information to all of Knox County.
Committed to ongoing training and education
With ongoing study, training, and research the KCSO Legal Unit strives to provide accurate up to date information for our officers and citizens.
Elite team of experienced law attorneys
Thanks to the extensive law practices from our Legal Unit, our employees and citizen's of Knox County can be assured of safe, professional, and accurate legal services.
Mike Ruble
Chief Mike Ruble has been with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office since September 1, 1990. An attorney by profession, Chief Ruble brings extensive experience in both government and law to his position as Chief.
Chief Ruble graduated from the University of Tennessee, with honors, in 1981 with a degree in Biology. In 1984, he graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee, College of Law.
In 1986 Chief Ruble was appointed as the Deputy Law Director for the Knox County Law Department. His primary responsibility involved the defense of Sheriff’s Office personnel against civil rights litigation instituted by inmates and citizens.
In 1990. Chief Ruble was appointed to serve as the Chief of Administration of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Ruble supplies legal advice and consultation to the Sheriff and is responsible for training officers in the myriad of legal issues that affect the operation of the Sheriff’s Office.
Special Counsel Carleton Bryant has been with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office since January 1995. As a Practicing attorney, Mr. Bryant has extensive experience in the law as it relates to police officers.
Carleton Bryant completed his undergraduate education at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He graduated with high honors in 1981 earning a degree in American Studies. Mr. Bryant then received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1984.
Mr Bryant maintained a law practice from 1984 until 1993 when he was appointed Judicial Commissioner for Knox County where he was responsible for reviewing and approving arrest and search warrants.
In 1995, Carleton Bryant began his employment with KCSO. As Special Counsel, he is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to advise officers in the performance of their law enforcement duties. Mr. Bryant is responsible for training Knox County officers in the various legal issues they confront. Mr. Bryant is also on the Crash Reconstruction Team.
Carleton Bryant is certified by IPTM in the instruction of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and is certified by Taser International to teach classes in the proper use of the Taser.
Mr. Bryant has been on various planning panels and working groups sponsored by the National Institute of Justice through the Department of Justice and has assisted in writing training manuals for police officers in the area of digital evidence, including search and seizure and forensics.
Carleton Bryant assists at the annual International Association of Arson Investigators Convention in the certification of expert witnesses.
Carleton Bryant
Carleton Bryant
Special Counsel Carleton Bryant has been with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office since January 1995. As a Practicing attorney, Mr. Bryant has extensive experience in the law as it relates to police officers.
Carleton Bryant completed his undergraduate education at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He graduated with high honors in 1981 earning a degree in American Studies. Mr. Bryant then received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1984.
Mr Bryant maintained a law practice from 1984 until 1993 when he was appointed Judicial Commissioner for Knox County where he was responsible for reviewing and approving arrest and search warrants.
In 1995, Carleton Bryant began his employment with KCSO. As Special Counsel, he is on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week to advise officers in the performance of their law enforcement duties. Mr. Bryant is responsible for training Knox County officers in the various legal issues they confront. Mr. Bryant is also on the Crash Reconstruction Team.
Carleton Bryant is certified by IPTM in the instruction of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and is certified by Taser International to teach classes in the proper use of the Taser.
Mr. Bryant has been on various planning panels and working groups sponsored by the National Institute of Justice through the Department of Justice and has assisted in writing training manuals for police officers in the area of digital evidence, including search and seizure and forensics.
Carleton Bryant assists at the annual International Association of Arson Investigators Convention in the certification of expert witnesses.
Randy Nichols
Randy Nichols was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in September 1973. In February 1976 he was sworn in as an assistant district attorney for Knox County where he remained until he re-entered private practice. He practiced with the firm of Harwell and Nichols in the area of criminal defense until he was appointed Judge of Criminal Court Division 1 for Knox County in June 1988. He left the Bench in August 1992 to become District Attorney General for Knox County where he served for 22 years before retiring. He has been with the Sheriff’s office as special counsel for the past 5 years.
Randy Nichols was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in September 1973. In February 1976 he was sworn in as an assistant district attorney for Knox County where he remained until he re-entered private practice. He practiced with the firm of Harwell and Nichols in the area of criminal defense until he was appointed Judge of Criminal Court Division 1 for Knox County in June 1988. He left the Bench in August 1992 to become District Attorney General for Knox County where he served for 22 years before retiring. He has been with the Sheriff’s office as special counsel for the past 5 years.
Randy Nichols
KCSO Legal Unit
