Endorsement for Mark Ward, Criminal Court Judge Div. 9

Sometimes the choice is too easy, and this is one of those times. Reelect Mark Ward to sit on the bench of Criminal Court, Division 9.

The Commercial Appeal issued a strong endorsement for Ward:

The choice in this race is a no-brainer. Judge MARK WARD, appointed to the position in 2004, clearly deserves a full term.

In the 2005 bar association ratings, Ward, 49, scored the highest of any judge, state or federal, in the survey. His entire legal career has been focused on criminal law as a teacher, private attorney and public defender.

His opponent, attorney Alicia Howard, has limited criminal trial experience.

But once again, it is attorney Richard Fields that has the full story (emphasis added):

Judge Mark Ward is an exceptional judge and person. Appointed to his position in 2005, he was rated by the Memphis Bar Association in the survey of its members as the best judge in Shelby County and was selected “Judge of the Year” for 2005. This is significant as most members of the Memphis Bar Association are civil practice lawyers. He has over 30 years experience in the criminal justice system as the assistant public defender, an Adjunct Professor of Law in Criminal Procedure at the School of Law-University of Memphis, a clerk on the Criminal Court of Appeals, and private criminal defense practice. He also is the author of the authoritative Tennessee Criminal Trial Practice. His education background includes a B.A. – Law Enforcement and M.A.’s in Criminal Justice and Religion.

His opponent, Alicia Howard, has virtually no criminal jury trial experience. Her last employment as an Assistant City Attorney involved no criminal work. After leaving the City Attorney’s Office, she filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Jackson, Tennessee in 2000. Her 20 years of practice have been undistinguished and does not make her in any way fit to replace Judge Ward.

Given Judge Ward's outstanding credentials and the respect of his peers, one wonders at Ms. Howard's judgement at attempting to knock off such an obviously qualified opponent. Furthermore, both politcal parties in Shelby County have endorsed Judge Ward — a rare occurance.

Mark Ward has been endorsed by:

• Comercial Appeal
• Shelby County Republican Party
• Shelby County Conservative Republican Club
• Shelby County Democrat Party
• Attorney David Caywood (R)
• Attorney Richard Fields (D)

His opponent, Alicia Howard, has been endorsed by:

• [*** crickets chirping ***]

Technorati Tags: Tennessee Politics, Tennessee Shelby County Judicial Races of 2006, Mark Ward, Alicia Howard, Avoiding Unqualified Judges.

 

Posted on Wednesday at 7:08 PM in category Judicial Candidates
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