GENERAL INFORMATION
Name: Teresa Jones
Candidate for: Memphis Municipal Judge, Division 1
Date of Birth: 04-29-1959
Occupation: Lawyer/Judge
Educational Background:
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- High School: Byhalia High School, graduated 1977
- College: Lane College, B.A. Mass Communications & Business 1981
- Masters/Ph.D (if applicable): Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis, 1986
Family: I am single with no children, but am a proud aunt and godmother. I have 2 sisters, 3 brothers and a large extended family of aunts and cousins. My parents, Horace Jr. and Lottie Jones are deceased.
Community Involvement:
1. Former Elected Member Shelby County School Board District 2, 2011 – 2019, served as Chair from 2014-2016.
2. Lane College Board of Trustees, Appointed February 2014- Present & Lane College Memphis Alumni Chapter
3. Leadership Memphis Executive Program, 2014
4. Ben F. Jones Chapter NBA, Memphis Bar Assoc., National Bar Assoc., American Bar Assoc., TN Bar Assoc.
5. Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program, Comm. Member & Past Chair
6. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Memphis Alumni Chapter
7. Memphis Area Legal Services Board Member, 1993
8. Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Board Member, 1991-1996
9. Life Member American Tennis Association & U. S. Tennis Assoc.
10. Memphis Bar Foundation, Fellow
11. Mothers Of The Nile Outstanding Leadership Award
12. Teamsters TNBC Trailblazer Award 2017
13. 12 Outstanding Women 2019, Memphis Interfaith Denominational Fellowship, Incorporated
WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA
Official Campaign Website: www.keepjudgeteresajones.com
Facebook: facebook.com/@keepjudgeteresajones
Twitter: twitter.com/@keepjudgejones1
Instagram: instrgram.com/keepjudgejones1
CANDIDATE SURVEY:
1 What background/experience distinguishes you from the other candidates who want voters to elect them?
Jones’s response:
In January, I was appointed to the position as the unanimous choice of a 15-member selection committee and the Memphis City Council after Judge Earnestine Hunt-Dorse retired.
I have over 30 years of experience in the justice system, actual courtroom experience as a trial lawyer for both defense and prosecution. And, for the past 16 years, I worked as the Chief City Prosecutor in the very court where I now sit as Judge. I also served on the Shelby County School Board for eight years, serving as chair from 2014-2016. I resigned the day I was appointed to the position of judge. Prior to that, I served as a senior trial attorney and supervisor with the Shelby County Public Defender for 15 years.
My journey to becoming a judge began in the 1980’s when I enrolled in the University of Memphis Law School after graduating from Lane College in 1981.
But for me, all roads lead back to a small farm community outside Holly Springs, Mississippi (Chulahoma), where I grew up. I learned the value of working hard, setting goals and being a person of integrity from the love and values that my parents instilled in me and my siblings.
My entire legal career has been dedicated to representing and advocating for average citizens, who often feel that they don’t have a voice and will not be treated fairly in Court. I believe citizens have a right to have their cases heard by a experienced, honest and fair Judge. I am that Judge. I also make sure citizens are treated with respect and are allowed the opportunity to be heard. But most importantly, when citizens enter my court, I make sure the feel the decision will be made based on the law after fully hearing all witnesses and both sides of the proof.
2 What are the top three issues facing the City of Memphis?
Jones’s response:
1. Lack of resources to handle the volume of cases.
2. Outdated technology and lack of access to databases from other government agencies
3. Limited alternative access by citizens to the courts.
3 What do you propose to address the three issues you rank as top priorities?
Jones’s response:
All three issues will require a financial investment by the City Council who is the body that funds the court system. However, as the current Judge I am committed to ensuring citizens are respected, treated fairly, allowed to ask questions and receive detailed answers and have their cases handled as quickly as possible. I am mindful that many citizens appear have taken unpaid leave from work, family and other personal obligations.
