TOMORROW MAY 5
Vote Dawn Deaner for Nashville
Candidate for Davidson County Judge
Criminal Court | Division III
FROM DEFENSE TO THE BENCH
Accountability. Dignity. Justice.
ENDORSEMENTS
EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
Justice isn’t just an outcome—it’s a process. I’m running to bring fairness, dignity, and accountability to Nashville’s Criminal Court.
Founder & Executive Director, Choosing Justice Initiative
Built a nationally recognized nonprofit empowering people without wealth to pursue justice in Nashville’s criminal legal system.
Metropolitan Public Defender for Nashville
Led the office for a decade, centering client dignity, ethical defense, and systemic reform.
Implemented Nashville’s first-ever public defender workload controls
Prioritizing effective representation over volume.
Created the first Client–Community Advisory Board
Establishing formal representation standards for ethical defense in the Public Defender’s Office.
Launched first Court Watch program
Increasing transparency and public oversight in Nashville.
Launched Steering Clear Driver’s Diversion Program
Helping decriminalize poverty and reduce unnecessary court involvement.