Meet Dawn
For nearly 30 years, Dawn Deaner has served the people of Nashville as a public defender and founder of Choosing Justice Initiative working to improve how justice is delivered in our city. She has spent her career inside the criminal courts—representing people without wealth, advocating for fairness, and working to reform systems that too often fail the very people they are meant to serve.
Through that work, Dawn has learned that justice is not just about outcomes—it is about process. It is about how decisions are made, how people are treated, and whether courts operate with fairness, dignity, and accountability. Judges play a critical role in shaping that process, from bail decisions and case scheduling to the appointment of counsel and the everyday culture of the courtroom.
Today, Nashville’s Criminal Court bench lacks the perspective of a former public defender. None of the current judges have held that role, and most are former prosecutors. Public defense teaches lessons about justice, humility, and humanity that cannot be learned elsewhere—and those lessons matter deeply on the bench.
Dawn is running for Division III Criminal Court Judge because justice still matters, and because she knows the courts can do better. She brings decades of experience, a deep understanding of the system’s strengths and failures, and a commitment to fairness, accountability, and respect for every person who enters the courtroom. She is ready to serve with courage, perspective, and an unwavering belief that the justice system must work for everyone.