Chattanooga attorney Yolanda Echols Mitchell officially kicked off her campaign for Hamilton County General Sessions Judge with a reception on Tuesday at the Bessie Smith Hall.
Ms. Mitchell was introduced by her campaign co-manager Irvin Overton before a gathering of current and former elected officials, community leaders, family and friends. Mr. Overton told the crowd that Ms. Mitchell "is totally qualified to be elected as General Sessions Court judge because she is a good, solid, quality candidate who is also a “hometown product with relevant work experience.”
Ms.
Mitchell began by thanking those who are supporting her campaign. She said she can bring a new “equally balanced, unbiased, well-rounded” perspective to General Sessions Court.
Ms. Mitchell, who has practiced law in Hamilton County for 18 years, said she has a uniquely diverse background in the legal field.
“I have been on the side of the victim as a prosecutor. I have been on the side of the defendant as a defense attorney. I have been in the role of the judge making decisions about warrants and bonds. In all of my roles, my practice has been in the General Sessions Court,” said Ms. Mitchell.
The Chattanooga native began her career as an assistant district attorney with the Hamilton County District Attorney’s office and served as a prosecutor for 10 years – four of which were as a child abuse prosecutor. After leaving the District Attorney’s office, she served as a magistrate judge for the Hamilton County General Sessions Court for four years, including a term as chief magistrate.
She has handled both criminal and civil cases in her four years of private legal practice.
She said, “I’m extremely familiar with the day-to-day operations of that court…I have seen the cases from every angle. As General Sessions Court judge, I will strive to ensure that the people of Hamilton County feel that when they walk into my courtroom, there will be a judge who truly understands the law and is going to make a fair and impartial decision and make sure they [defendants] understand why that decision was reached.”