By Ashley Benkarski
NASHVILLE, TN — You’ve probably seen Attorney Jim Todd offering legal analyses on local news channels, but this time he’s the one making headlines with his candidacy for General Sessions Court Division VI Judge.
Todd is a Nashville native with more than three decades of experience in the legal system spanning various roles.
He began his law career as a prosecutor and eventually transitioned to a defense attorney role, giving him a view of both sides.
“I really came to appreciate the difficulty that a lot of people have that leads to criminal behavior,” he said of his switch to the Defense Attorney role, adding that it’s always hard to see someone who needed help become an inmate instead.
As a prosecutor Todd said he’s fought against the Drug Free School Zone law that increases certain offenses from misdemeanors to felonies; that law has been shown to disproportionately affect nonwhite residents.
He also said he’s the only candidate that has sent a recommendation on bail reform to Metro Council, a resolution he said would expedite the time it takes for judges to review cases, leading to less time in jail for defendants.
He added it would also include pretrial probation officers to supervise the accused on the front end.
Until recently, he served as Judge in General Sessions environmental court.
Prior to his legal career Todd worked as an Assistant to then-Senator Al Gore in Washington, D.C and for former Governor Ned McWherter. He left the political realm when he realized he needed a new career, he said.
He’s been practicing a long time and wants to take the experience he’s gained to do his part in keeping the playing field fair, he remarked.
The role of a judge is “very simple,” Todd said. “Try your best to maintain public safety and reduce incarceration,” he said, and that means fixing the cause of the problem while getting restitution for harm caused.
Todd is seeking the seat being vacated by Judge Michael Mondelli and whose nephew is a challenger in the primary.
Todd has been endorsed by Rep. Mike Stewart, former Mayors Bill Purcell and Karl Dean, attorney Frank Abernathy and Rev. Enoch Fuzz, among others.
Early voting continues until April 28 with election day being May 3.
For information on Todd’s campaign visit jimtoddforjudge.com.
