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Contest for Germantown Municipal Judge Division 1
Municipality
Germantown
general - Partisan - Germantown Municipal Judge Division 1
About this office
Term length: 8 years.
This role calls for
- Municipal-court judge: hears violations of city ordinances (traffic, code, animal-control, etc.) and, in some Tennessee cities, limited civil and small-claims jurisdiction by charter or interlocal agreement.
- Judicial temperament: the willingness to listen, deliberate, and apply the law dispassionately to people whose lives are deeply affected by the outcome.
- Impartiality and ethics under the Tennessee Rules of Judicial Conduct, including disqualification when conflicts arise.
- Working knowledge of the substantive and procedural law applied in the assigned court (cited per court below) and the published precedent that controls.
- Docket management — moving cases efficiently while honoring due process and the time pressures that fall on litigants and witnesses.
- Clear written and oral explanation of rulings, so the parties and the public can follow the reasoning.
Derived from the office's statutory duties and operational reality. Candidate summaries below map each candidate's documented experience to these requirements.
The Municipal Judge for Division 1 in Germantown presides over cases involving municipal ordinances and traffic violations, ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice. This role includes conducting hearings, rendering legal judgments, and overseeing the court's operations to uphold legal standards and protect community interests. Additionally, the judge works to educate the public on legal rights and responsibilities while maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the municipal court system in Germantown. Germantown municipal court is held at 1930 S Germantown Rd, Germantown every Wednesday (except for holidays) at 5pm for traffic court and 6pm for criminal court. Germantown Municipal Judges are paid $50,000/year.
Campaigns
Justin A. Gee
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Justin A. Gee is a long-time Germantown resident with deep community ties and a commitment to safety, youth empowerment, and city amenities. He currently serves on the safety team at Germantown United Methodist and sponsors a Mock Trial at his alma mater, Houston High School. He is a graduate of Leadership Germantown and understands the city's modern challenges. With his conservative values, impartiality, integrity, and professionalism, he is well-suited for the role of Germantown Municipal Judge Division 1, which involves presiding over cases involving municipal ordinances and traffic violations, conducting hearings, rendering legal judgments, and overseeing court operations.
Rhea Clift
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Rhea Clift, a career prosecutor with over 30 years of experience, is a suitable candidate for the position of Germantown Municipal Judge Division 1. She has extensive trial experience, having been part of 49 jury trials, and has served as Chief Prosecutor for Bartlett since 2020. Rhea is also active in local Republican politics and has a strong connection to the Germantown community, with her father having served as a Germantown Municipal Judge for 40 years. She is known for her fairness, listening to both sides, and ensuring victims' voices are heard. Her experience and commitment to justice align well with the responsibilities of the Municipal Judge role, which includes presiding over cases involving municipal ordinances and traffic violations, and upholding legal standards to protect community interests.