Criminal Court Judge Division VIII, District 30, Unexpired Term
August 6, 2026 · Shelby County, Tennessee · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 0 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 919,173 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(919,173 ÷ 919,173) ÷ ln(919,173 ÷ 5,079) = 0, comparing counties in TN (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Hearing trials — criminal cases, lawsuits, family, or probate matters, depending on the court
- Ruling on evidence, motions, and sentences
- Applying state law and court procedure fairly in every case
Affected Areas: Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Civil Rights, Impartiality, Legal Competence
Candidates
David "Hawk" Allen
Nonpartisan · declared
David "Hawk" Allen is a Direct Representation Unit attorney in the Shelby County Public Defender's Office. He represents indigent clients in misdemeanor and felony cases after previously practicing civil litigation. Allen earned a bachelor's degree and a 2019 law degree from the University of Memphis and has been licensed in Tennessee since 2020.
Javier Bailey, II
Nonpartisan · declared
Javier Bailey II is an attorney with the Shelby County Public Defender's Office. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Memphis and attended Southern University Law Center. Bailey has been licensed to practice law in Tennessee since 2022.
Joe Ozment
Nonpartisan · declared
Joe Ozment is a Memphis criminal-defense attorney who has practiced law in Tennessee since 1992. His work includes felony and capital cases and appeals before Tennessee appellate courts and the Sixth Circuit. Ozment earned degrees from the University of Tennessee and the University of Memphis law school and has led state and local criminal-defense bar organizations.
Records: Legal Competence 3 for
John L. Dolan
Nonpartisan · declared
John L. Dolan Jr. is a Memphis criminal-defense attorney whose practice focuses on major felony cases. He has practiced law in Tennessee since 1981 and has also handled cases in Mississippi. Dolan earned his law degree from the University of Memphis and continues to represent defendants in Shelby County criminal proceedings.
Records: Legal Competence 4 against
Katie Ratton
Nonpartisan · declared
Katie Ratton serves as an Assistant District Attorney General in Shelby County. During nearly two decades in the legal profession, she has worked as a prosecutor, public defender, and Assistant City Attorney for Memphis. Ratton earned her law degree from the University of Iowa and has practiced law in Tennessee since 2005.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Impartiality 1 for, Legal Competence 2 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 2 for
Latonya Sue Burrow
Nonpartisan · declared
Latonya Sue Burrow is a Memphis criminal-defense attorney who has practiced law in Tennessee since 1993. Her career has included private practice, service as Memphis chief ethics officer, and work as an assistant public defender in re-entry. She earned a bachelor's degree from Rhodes College and a law degree from Memphis State University.
Records: Legal Competence 2 for
Ruchee Patel
Nonpartisan · declared
Ruchee Patel is a Memphis criminal-defense and appellate attorney at Donati Law. She has practiced law in Tennessee since 2007 and represents clients in state and federal courts. Patel earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and a law degree from the University of Mississippi.
Records: Legal Competence 1 for, 2 against
Election sources
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov
Source: electionsshelbytn.gov