Judicial Election Juvenile Court, District Attorney General, & Public Defender Candidates

KNOX COUNTY JUVENILE COURT

Juvenile Court Judge

Timothy E. Irwin

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee, Bachelor of Arts, 1976-1980; William Mitchell College of Law, 1985-1987; University of Tennessee College of Law, 1987-1990

Legal Experience
1990-1995, Law firm of Herbert S. Moncier; 1995-2000, McCord, Troutman and Irwin; 2000-2005, Irwin and Reed; 2005-present, Knox County Juvenile Court Judge

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association; Hamilton Burnett Inn of Court; President of the the Tennessee Juvenile Court Conference; Judicial Ethics Committee, State of Tennessee

Civic Involvement
Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley, Past President and Current Board Member; Metropolitan Drug Coalition Board Member; Knoxville Catholic High School Board of Trustees

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Hundreds.

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
Daily presiding over delinquent and unruly matters; visitation, custody, child support, termination of parental rights for the past sixteen years.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
Sixteen and half years of judicial experience and compassion for the children and families of Knox County.

Candidate Interview

DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL & PUBLIC DEFENDER

District Attorney General

Charme P. Allen

Education/Schools Attended
West Georgia College, Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, 1987; University of Tennessee College of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree, 1990

Legal Experience
Knox County District Attorney General: 2014-Present; Knox County District Attorney General’s Office, Assistant District Attorney, Criminal Investigator, and Legal Clerk: 1989-2014 

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Foundation, Fellow; Knoxville Bar Association, Member; Tennessee Bar Association, Member; Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, Executive Committee, Family Justice Committee Chair, Finance/Audit Committee, Legislative Committee, Opioid/Heroin Committee, Public Education and Social Media Committee; National District Attorneys Association, Member.

Civic Involvement
Executive Women’s Association, Member; Boys & Girls Club of the TN Valley, Past Board Member; Family Justice Center, Executive Committee, Member; HonorAir, Escort; Metro Drug Coalition, Executive Committee, Member; Pellissippi State Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Member; Emerald Youth Foundation’s Imagine a City Council, Member; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Member.

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
I have prosecuted thousands of criminal cases in my career.

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
My role as the Knox County District Attorney General is quite different than the role I had as an Assistant District Attorney for more than 20 years. As the DAG, I essentially manage Knoxville’s largest law firm with a team of more than 80 employees. I oversee the office’s budget, policy, procedures, and personnel. In addition to running the office, I represent the 6th Judicial District at the Tennessee District Attorneys’ Conference to support the efficient administration of justice across our state. I also meet with legislators regularly to advocate for sound legislation that encourages and supports public safety. Along the same lines, I represent the Office on numerous community boards and task forces. One of the most important aspects of my job as the DAG is to develop and administer policies that directly impact the tens of thousands of criminal cases that come through the criminal justice system each year. Additionally, my team includes 40 prosecutors who appear on behalf of the State in sessions court, criminal court, and juvenile court. As an ADA, I personally handled hundreds of cases each year in sessions court and criminal court with most of my career focused on prosecuting child abuse cases.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
The first attribute that comes to mind is leadership. I have a track record of assembling and motivating effective teams to accomplish a mission. In my case, that mission has always been to pursue the guilty and protect the innocent. This mission cannot be reached without a solid team behind you. I am proud of the team I have assembled over the last 7 and a half years as a District Attorney General.  Secondly, I believe discernment is another attribute that I possess that is used to serve the citizens of Knox County on a daily basis. A good leader and prosecutor must be able to practice sound judgement that is fair and just. As the county’s top prosecutor, I have demonstrated my ability to do the right thing for the right reason time and time again. I believe I was built for this job. I wake up every morning focused on and committed to our community’s safety.

Campaign Website

Jackson M. Fenner

Education/Schools Attended
University of Tennessee, Juris Doctor, 2008-11; University of Tennessee, B.A., 2005-07; Pellissippi State, transfer, 2004-05; Hartwick College, no degree, 1995-97

Legal Experience
Fenner Law Firm, 2011–2014 and 2017–Present; City of Knoxville, 2019 Substitute Municipal Court Judge; Garza Law Firm, PLLC, 2017–2018, Independent Contractor Attorney; Burton McKinnish, PLLC, 2014–2017, Associate Attorney; Legal Aid of East Tennessee, 2010–2011, Pro Bono Project and Knox County Community Development  Housing Clerk

Legal Affiliations
Knoxville Bar Association, current member; Tennessee Assoc. Criminal Defense Lawyers, former member

Civic Involvement
I frequently work with Legal Aid and the KBA by volunteering in legal clinics that provide advice and assistance to low-income individuals. In 2014, the Tennessee Supreme Court awarded me "Attorney for Justice." In 2012 and 2013, the Knoxville Bar Association and Legal Aid of Tennessee awarded me "Equal Access to Justice" awards. I also serve as a moot court judge at the University of Tennessee.

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
At least 6 criminal jury trials, many contempt bench trials, and many civil bench trials

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
I work in General Sessions and Criminal Court every week, several times a week. I handle criminal cases from arraignment through final judgment, and, if necessary, I handle appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeals.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
My approach to my practice is to be tough but empathetic. Some of the persons accused of crimes who come through our court rooms deserve harsh sentences. Some of the persons accused need our help. I can accomplish both of those objectives. As a lawyer, I dig in and fight when I need to fight, and I seek common ground when a matter calls for compromise. I will be a transparent DA, and never cavalier. I'm prepared, thorough, efficient, and ready to serve Knox County, my home for 25 years.

Public Defender

Eric M. Lutton

Education/Schools Attended
Ball State University, B.S., 2000 - 2004; University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 2004 - 2007

Legal Experience
15 years

Legal Affiliations
KBA, NACDL, TACDL, NAPD, Executive Committee of Public Defender Conference

Civic Involvement
MDC, Veteran’s Clinics, Expunction Clinics, DEO

How many contested cases have you tried as lead counsel or presided over as judge?
Uncertain.

Describe the nature and frequency of your work in the court for which you are seeking election
While I am not in Court as often as I was when I was an assistant Public Defender, I still carry a small caseload to go along with my administrative duties as the Knox County Public Defender.

What attributes do you possess that make you qualified for this position?
Having worked in the Public Defender’s office at every level makes me uniquely qualified.  I have been a front line attorney as an assistant Public Defender.  I was later promoted to be a Team Leader within the office which placed me as the direct supervisor for 1/3 of the office.  I was later promoted to be the Deputy Public Defender, making me 2nd in charge of the office.  In 2019, I was appointed by the Governor to be the Interim District Public Defender and was later elected to this position.  I have guided the office through all of the challenges of the pandemic and have been very proud of how we have been able to continue to represent and advocate for our clients despite the many challenges presented by Covid.  

Campaign Website