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January 28, 2006
Let’s Be Judge-Mental: A high-level roll call of robes
Cross-posted from The Pulse, January 11, 2006
So many judges are up for re-election this year that it’s easy to become confused. Add to their number the pack of attorneys that scavenges one prematurely emptied bench after another, and it’s a veritable circus. Several judgeships are eight-year terms, so that’s why it may seem, given that the average attention span is approaching seven minutes (not years) that there are more than ever. I’ll see if I can walk you through at a high level, as they say.
There are two Chattanooga City Court Judge positions being decided in 2006. Russell Bean is the Division II incumbent. He is currently unopposed, unless someone knows something I don’t. Sherry Paty won a 2004 election to the Division I seat. Her close rival in that election, ADA Gerald Webb, hopes to win a rematch.
Chances are you know more about Chancery Court than do I, but there are two (aren’t they called Chancellors?) facing re-election this year. They are W. Frank Brown and Howell Peoples.
General Sessions Court, you recall, handles civil and criminal cases. Smaller stuff, though, with just the judge, no jury. There are five judges. Division I: Christy Mahn Sell challenges Richard Holcomb. Division II: Recent appointee David Bales will square off with Hallie McFadden. Division III: Clarence Shattuck; anybody? Division IV: Ron Durby [crickets]. Division V: Bob Moon.
Sadness struck the three-member Criminal Court (the one with jury trials) when Steve Bevil passed away last year. While those whom he encountered know he can’t be replaced, the position, itself, must be filled; and it will be by governor’s appointment. That appointee will then be an incumbent in the 2006 election. A handful of potential candidates is considering the subsequent race. In Division II, Rebecca Stern is seeking re-election, but Division I Judge Doug Meyer is not. The second in command at the DA’s office, Barry Steelman, is running for Meyer’s open seat.
More judges? Yes – have you forgotten the Circuit Court Judges? There are four of them in this, the 11th Judicial District. Circuit Court is where you’ll see your million-dollar lawsuits. One of these judges, too, has decided to retire. Jeff Hollingsworth will try for outgoing Judge Samuel Payne’s seat. Jackie Schulten, L. Marie Williams and W. Neil Thomas (Divisions I, III and IV, respectively) are as yet unopposed.
Finally, don’t forget the children. Juvenile Court Judge Suzanne Bailey has stated her intent to stay on, and if the voters don’t have any reason or opponent to direct them otherwise, it seems that she will.
The challenge presented by judicial elections isn’t limited to simply remembering how many and which ones there are. How many of us know what kind of job each of these elected officials does? Or whether, even if one is doing a fine job, one of the opposing candidates might offer even better solutions? We’ll have to go through these again before August, because I don’t want to think that anyone would have to resort to treating this section of the ballot like a standardized test. You know who you are. In the meantime, save this Pulse – you may need a study guide. Better yet, find yourself a good, comprehensive website that gets regularly updated with explanations and analyses of this stuff, and bookmark it…
Pulsations | By joe lance | 09:06 AM