About General Sessions Court

The General Sessions Court of Washington County has three Judges. The seat Steve seeks is called General Sessions Court Part One. Judge Rob Lincoln retired last year, and Steve seeks to fill the 4 years that remain on Judge Lincoln’s term.  Steve is running in the Republican Primary and in the General Election. It is the only Judge race on the ballot. 

The Scope of the Court 

General Sessions Judges in Washington County wear several hats, including:

  • Criminal Matters: Misdemeanor criminal prosecutions or processing more serious crimes to Criminal Court.

  • Juvenile Matters: Serving as Juvenile Judge in delinquency and dependency/neglect cases.  

  • Civil Matters: Disputes generally valued at $25,000 or less.

  • Specialty Courts: Mental Health Court, Dependency Court, and potentially a Safe Baby Court.

Sometimes, because of the high number of cases and nature of the matters that come before the General Sessions Court, it is referred to as “the people’s court.”

Here’s what you'll get from me as General Sessions Judge 

After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I feel led to make a difference here, working with others in the court system to make our community safer and stronger.

Here’s what you'll get from me as General Sessions Judge - 

  • A strong work ethic.      

  • I will treat everyone who appears before me with dignity and respect. 

  • I will run the courtroom efficiently as possible. That starts with the court Clerk and her staff. I recognize the amazing job they do and I will value their contribution and have their backs if need be.

  •  I will bring private sector concepts and look for ways to save the taxpayers money, hold down costs, and streamline processes.

  • I will apply the law as written, follow sentencing guidelines, and won't legislate from the bench.

  • I will honor the rights of the victim while addressing the accused.

  • I will be firm but fair.

  • I will be neutral and won't play favorites

  • I will be on time, and will start and end court on time, and I won't waste time.

I believe in the life-changing potential of work.  I think that expanded incarceration-to-work programs can help keep those who commit crimes from becoming repeat offenders.

I recognize that biblical principles underlie and inspired our Nation’s founding documents … that all of us are created equal and that our Creator - rather than government – endowed us with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  The Constitution says that our government was created to preserve these rights, for us and our posterity. These principles are fundamental to me.