East Ridge News Online posed a series of questions to Municipal Court Judge Candidates Tracy Cox, Chris Dixon, Rich Heinsman, and Kevin Wilson. What follows are the four candidates’ verbatim responses to the inquiries.
Tracy Cox
Tell the voters about your background: How long have you practiced law? Where did you go to Law School? Have you served previously as a judge or substitute judge?
I attended law school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I’ve been practicing law for almost thirty years. I’ve served as Town Judge for the Town of Signal Mountain and Special Judge for the City of Graysville.
Why should voters cast their ballots for you in this race?
I have a wide spectrum of experience. I’ve been a prosecutor, a public defender, I worked for Legal Aid, and I’ve been in private practice. My experience will allow me to apply standards of fairness and impartiality to every case, no matter how big or small. I am ready to handle high volume, if necessary, while remaining focused on each matter before me.
I spent my early years growing up in East Ridge. I would be honored to serve the community where I have roots.
If elected, what do you want to accomplish as East Ridge Municipal Court Judge?
I intend to maintain an efficient docket so that all participants, including victims and witnesses, have their matters handled efficiently and in a timely manner. My goal is to continue positive and transparent access to the courts, just like East Ridge News Online currently does with the regular publication of the court dockets.
Chris Dixon
Tell the voters about your background: How long have you practiced law? Where did you go to Law School? Have you served previously as a judge or substitute judge?
In December 1999, I received my Undergraduate Degree (Bachelors of Science with a focus in political science and with dual minors in Psychology and English) from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). In 2004, I received my Juris Doctorate Degree from Western Michigan School of Law.
After Law school, I came back to Chattanooga and studied for the Tennessee Bar, and passed it on my first try. While studying for the bar I worked for Attorney Martin Bean and Attorney Russell Bean (who is now sitting as Division 2 City Court Judge) and after I passed the bar I had the honor to work for Attorney Jerry Summers. After working for Mr. Summers I decided to open my own Law Office.
It’s been 15 years since I opened my own practice , during that time I have been involved in Federal Trials, Civil Trials and had several trials in the Hamilton County Criminal Divisions. I have also sat as special Judge for the previous five Sessions Court Judges, and for the Current five Sessions Court Judges. I have also sat as special Judge in both divisions of Chattanooga City Court, Red Bank City Court, Soddy Daisy City Court and East Ridge Court.
Why should voters cast their ballots for you in this race?
I believe I possess the proper judicial temperament, experience, firmness, humility and common sense. Furthermore, I believe I possess the legal courage or “the willingness to do what the law requires the judge to do even though the course the judge must follow is not the popular one.” During my 17 years of almost exclusively practicing Criminal Law, I have had countless preliminary hearings, jury trials and the experience of sitting as special Judge in several jurisdictions in Hamilton County. I believe my experience gives me a unique perspective and advantage over the other candidates.
If elected, what do you want to accomplish as East Ridge Municipal Court Judge?
As of now, East Ridge Court is considered a small Court, but the community is growing and the Court dockets are growing. Therefore the Court must be modernized to meet a growing need. I will propose a website the people can go to to get their court dates instead of calling the court clerks. For defendants this will cut down on failure to appear and provide victims a way to check on when a defendant is set for Court. I would also bring rehabilitative services, which as of now there are not any. It has been shown this will cut down on repeat drug offenders and for those who do not live in East Ridge who shoplift and commit other property crimes will be banned from the City.
Rich Heinsman
Tell the voters about your background: How long have you practiced law? Where did you go to Law School? Have you served previously as a judge or substitute judge?
I am 55 years old, and I have 6 children and 8 grandchildren. In addition to my law practice, my wife and I also run a small hotel in downtown Chattanooga. I have been a resident of Hamilton County since 1984, and have practiced law here since October of 1993.
Prior to law school at New York University, I worked construction, excavation and demolition with my father, and I have held a general contractors license and an insurance license in Tennessee, and a sewage contractor’s license in Georgia.
I began my legal career (29 years) with a small plaintiff’s law firm in 1993, but opened my own practice for a brief time before being invited to join the Public Defender’s office where I served until January 1998. From 1998 until 2005 I handled mostly appointed Death Penalty cases.
From 2005 to the present I have had a general criminal practice in State and Federal Court. I have served on the board of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was given the 2005 Shining Star Award by that organization. I also served on the board of the Chattanooga Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and on the Board of Southeast Tennessee Legal Services. I was named 2014 Lawyer of the Year by criminalattorney.com.
Have you served previously as a judge or substitute judge?
Yes, a handful of times.
Why should voters cast their ballots for you in this race?
I have the depth of experience in criminal law and procedure necessary to fairly decide cases, and insight into the secondary effects that the court system has on people’s lives, from mere speeding tickets, to major felonies.
The job of the East Ridge Judge is to be neutral and fair, to ensure access to justice, and allow the parties to a controversy to make their case within the bounds of the law. This is a time-consuming and difficult task for any judge, but more so in a smaller jurisdictions where the judge, the lawyers, the officers, and the clerks, all share the same space. Being accessible to the parties is required, but also being neutral and detached is also required, and I have the fortitude and maturity to accomplish these goals.
If elected, what do you want to accomplish as East Ridge Municipal Court Judge?
To fairly resolve disputes consistent with existing law and precedent, while remaining flexible in extraordinary cases, but still neutral, fair, and courteous. Judges do not make law, that is the legislature’s prerogative, but not every real-world situation can be anticipated in East Ridge, or Nashville, or Washington, so Judges must be keenly sensitive to not only the rights and interests of the citizens of East Ridge, but also to the rights and interests of the parties to a case.
Kevin Wilson
Tell the voters about your background: How long have you practiced law? Where did you go to Law School? Have you served previously as a judge or substitute judge?
I have practiced law since 1981 and since 1982 I have operated some form of Wilson & Wilson attorneys, either with my wife, originally , and now with my son. I’m a UT law graduate.
I have served as a judge since 1990 for the City of Collegedale. In addition, I have been the East Ridge City Court Judge since August 2021, when I was appointed by the City Council. In addition to that I regularly sit as a Special Judge in General Sessions Court, Chattanooga City Court and other municipal courts.
Why should voters cast their ballots for you in this race?
Because my experience makes me the most qualified for the job. But it’s not only experience, it’s learning how to deal with people, including defendants, attorneys, clerks, prosecutors, etc., and how to work with all of them to make the process of justice flow smoothly and fairly. I like people and I like the chance to try and improve their lives and also keep the City of East Ridge safe. I love doing the job!
If elected, what do you want to accomplish as East Ridge Municipal Court Judge?
When I came on the bench last year, there were things that needed to be done to improve the operation of the Court. We have done some of those things but there is more to be done. Improving paperwork, communication, scheduling, etc., never stop learning and trying to do a better job.
