Knox County general sessions court judge voter's guide: Meet the candidates
General sessions court judges have jurisdiction over civil and criminal misdemeanor cases. They conduct preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Ben Houston II
Party affiliation: Democratic
Age: 47
Occupation: Attorney
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
What's the biggest challenge facing Knox County General Sessions Court?
The biggest challenge facing the Knox County General Sessions Court is ensuring that all persons who appear before the court are afforded due process and equal protection under the law as required by both our state and federal constitutions. Our courts must serve all of the people, not just those with privilege and power.
One way that courts can ensure that all persons have access to justice is to implement programs designed to increase access to justice. For example, Davidson County has implemented a program called the Pro Se Indigency Motion Docket that allows eligible indigent persons to seek to have their court costs, fines and fees waived as permitted by state law. Having these court costs, fines and fees waived as permitted by law is an important step for those seeking to improve their lives toward overcoming barriers such as regaining their drivers' license, which may have been suspended due to the unpaid costs, fines and fees. I believe such a program would be beneficial to the people of Knox County and once elected I will explore implementing this program along with other access to justice initiatives.
As an attorney, I've always been committed to making sure everyone is able to access our justice system. Judges in the General Sessions Courts must be independent, fair, and impartial. Everyone who comes before the court deserves to be heard, respected, and treated equally – that's exactly what I'll do as your next Judge.
Why are you the best person to make decisions that have a major impact on people's lives?
I have practiced law for 21 years in Knox County and all of its surrounding counties as a general practice attorney. As part of my practice, I have represented those going through divorce, victims of employment discrimination, victims of domestic violence in their civil cases, those charged with criminal offenses, both tenants and landlords in landlord/tenant disputes, consumers who have been the victim of unfair and deceptive trade practices, and tort victims. I also have experience representing clients before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the Tennessee Supreme Court. This wide range of legal experience and knowledge will enable me to fairly and impartially decide all of the various types of cases that will come before me as a General Sessions Court judge.
This experience representing clients facing a wide range of legal problems has also given me a deep understanding of how court decisions affect real families and our community.
Did you use AI assistance to help write your answer? If not, please write "n/a." If so, please elaborate.
N/a
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
What are two measurable goals you would set for your first term as judge?
First, I want to expand access to justice and part of that is enacting a pro se indigency motion docket that would enable those who have had a past criminal history but paid their debt to society to come in and have fees, costs and fines that may be otherwise holding them back waived so they can fully reenter society and not have barriers such as being unable to obtain a driver's license. I would envision them having forms that are easily filled out by anybody that would include information about their current financial circumstances. Based on the facts and the law, I would determine whether fines and fee should be waived.
As a broader goal, I would want to expand access to justice.
Why should people vote for you over your opponent?
I respect my opponent and she certainly has significant experience as an assistant district attorney. I think my experience is more broad in that I've had a general practice for 21 years and have spent my entire career practicing in a wide variety of areas, including all the types of cases that are routinely heard by the general sessions court. I've represented victims of crimes and domestic violence and civil causes of action, and I've represented criminal defendants. I believe I have a broader range of knowledge.
Right now, there are five general sessions court judges. I believe all five are currently prior assistant district attorneys, and I think it's always good to have a broad range of experience on the bench. I could bring that, having been a general practice attorney for the past 21 years.
I think representing defendants, it gives me a deep understanding of the significant impact that decisions that are made by the court can have on the persons appearing before the court and their families.
Tell us about a time you changed your mind on an important issue – what caused the shift?
Early on in my career, I would have been a proponent of implementing a system for appointing judges at the trial court level that is similar to how appellate court judges are instead of electing them. My concerns (were) that judicial elections can result in undue political influence from judges who must be fair and impartial. However, in recent years, the judicial selection or appointment process at both our state and federal level has become so politicized that I no longer believe that's the case. I now am a strong proponent that trial court judges should be elected by the people. I trust the people a lot more than I do political insiders to choose judges who are going to be fair, empathetic and reflect community values.
Andrea Kline (incumbent)
Party affiliation: Republican
Age: 58
Occupation: General sessions court judge, former prosecutor
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ANSWERS FROM THE CANDIDATE
What's the biggest challenge facing Knox County General Sessions Court?
The biggest challenge is efficiently managing large and diverse caseloads while effectively serving the people of Knox County and protecting individual rights.
The Knox County General Sessions Courts consist of five separate courtrooms and four of those courts hear criminal matters. The criminal courts oversee cases where the state of Tennessee has accused an individual of doing something wrong and charged them with an offense. Those offenses can range from a speeding ticket to homicide. There is also one Civil Sessions Court that hears landlord/tenant cases and small claims cases where individuals litigate property issues and money damages. Five sessions court judges preside over these courts and rotate weekly, so it is imperative that a judge in these courts have a broad understanding of the law.
Each year approximately 65,000 cases are docketed in the Sessions Courts, but there is limited space, staff and time to manage such large caseloads. Some courtrooms are bursting at the seams while others remain uncrowded, so it is crucial that we evaluate and find the most efficient use of the resources and courtroom space that we currently have. It is also important to avoid unnecessary delays and added court costs while still ensuring that every individual has their day in court. Additionally, we must strive to reduce waiting times in court for defendants, victims and witnesses and conclude cases as quickly and fairly as possible. Finally, we need to make the most effective use of available technology systems to streamline the judicial process.
The General Sessions Courts serve as the gatekeeper for the much of the judicial system, and they touch more individual lives than any other court. For many folks, Sessions Court is the first courtroom they will ever enter. It may be the first time they have stood before a judge or navigated the legal system, either as a defendant, victim or witness, and often they appear without an attorney. Because of the diverse and large case