Shelby County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution receiving and filing a notice of vacancy in the General Sessions Court at the tail end of the Monday, Jan. 27, meeting, preparing for the pending retirement of Judge Bill Anderson.
Anderson was appointed to the court in 2010.
Before the seat is vacant, applications must be submitted for an eventual replacement. The resolution sets the deadline for applicants as Wednesday, Feb. 12. Commission members will interview candidates a week later, Wednesday, Feb. 19. An interim judge will be appointed Monday, Feb. 24.
The resolution authorizes County Commission Chairman Michael Whaley to publish a notice of appointment. It also requests the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to conduct background checks on all candidates.
The effective date is March 1.
Whaley is the sponsor of the resolution. It passed 12–0 after receiving a favorable recommendation in the General Government Committee Wednesday, Jan. 22.
As his 14-year tenure progressed, Anderson became a lightning rod for criticism among advocates for stronger law enforcement. Most of the fault-finding surrounded the Division 7 judge’s bail decisions, particularly when violent crimes were alleged. Some critics even went as far as accusing Anderson of operating a “revolving door,” where violent offenders are released hours after committing a heinous offense.
Rancor reached a high point following the pandemic, crime rates soared as lockouts ended and people at-large readjusted to society. However, the number is now trending downward. According to Memphis Crime Commission statistics, the overall crime rate in Memphis dropped 10.6% in 2024 from the previous year.
Many large cities across the nation also have experienced a significant drop in crime over the same time period.
