Dawn Deaner
Democratic · TN
Dawn Deaner is the Democratic nominee for Criminal Court Judge, Division III, in Tennessee's 20th Judicial District. A former elected Metropolitan Public Defender and founder of the Choosing Justice Initiative, she won the May 2026 Davidson County primary and is not the incumbent judge.
Where Dawn Deaner stands, based on their records
Supports
Civil Rights (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 1 support
As counsel for the Nashville Community Bail Fund, Deaner approved a federal consent judgment that made permanent an injunction governing Davidson County bail-fund payments and related procedures.
December 9, 2020Supports Civil Rights
Source: clearinghouse-umich-production.s3.amazonaws.com · researched July 13, 2026
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 2 favorable
As counsel for the Nashville Community Bail Fund, Deaner approved a federal consent judgment that made permanent an injunction governing Davidson County bail-fund payments and related procedures.
December 9, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: clearinghouse-umich-production.s3.amazonaws.com · researched July 13, 2026
Deaner and the Choosing Justice Initiative appealed a federal case challenging Tennessee professional-responsibility restrictions; the Sixth Circuit docketed the appeal on November 18, 2020.
November 18, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: dockets.justia.com · researched July 13, 2026
Past race Dawn Deaner ran in:
- Criminal Court Judge Division III, 20th Judicial District, Unexpired Term · August 6, 2026 · Davidson County, Tennessee
Profile last researched August 21, 2026.