UPDATE: 2 candidates want to replace retiring juvenile court judge Donna Scott Davenport

Editor's note: This story was updated after learning Jacob Flatt announced he was withdrawing from running as a Republican candidate for Juvenile Court judge.

The next elected Rutherford County Juvenile Court judge will oversee a system still embroiled in past illegal incarcerations of children.

Juvenile Court Judge Donna Scott Davenport has faced national attention in recent months about a class-action lawsuit pertaining to illegal arrests and jailing of youth. She announced recently that she would complete her eight-year term by Aug. 31 rather than run for re-election.

Two candidates have said they are campaigning to replace Davenport: Andrae Crismon, who's running as an independent in the Aug. 4 election; and Republican Travis Lampley. The primary will be May 3.

Davenport's decision not to seek reelection followed the recent settlement of the class-action lawsuit for less than $6 million. The case pertained to juvenile court and detention center policies that led to the illegal arrests and incarcerations of children on misdemeanor charges, such as for school fights and truancy.

"Tennessee law strictly prohibits the pretrial incarceration of children" unless the youth are "being charged with a violent felony, a weapons offense, or a probation violation," according to the class-action lawsuit filed July 2017.

Davenport and Lynn Duke, the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center director the judge appointed, have faced other lawsuits that led to a 2017 federal court order to stop policies that contributed to a culture of illegal arrests and incarcerations of children on misdemeanor offenses.

Lampley and Crismon responded to questions from The Daily News Journal about what they'd do to follow the law and prevent future lawsuits. Both have qualified for the election by completing petitions with the required number of signatures from voters, according to the Rutherford County Election Commission.

See who's running for office: More join list of over 30 to qualify to campaign for office in Rutherford County

What should future judge do to comply with law?

Lampley is a 17-year attorney. A Murfreesboro resident, Lampley currently is an assistant district attorney for the 16th Judicial District, and works on cases involving children and adults in Cannon County.

A graduate of the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia, Lampley started his career as a prosecutor focusing on cases with juveniles and their families with the Nashville/Davidson County District Attorney's Office, as well as serving as general counsel for the Department of Children’s Services.

If elected judge, Lampley said he wants to focus on ongoing training for himself and all court and juvenile detention center employees to prevent illegal incarcerations.

"There’s got to be some accountability along the way," Lampley said. "Why did they not catch it? This should have been caught and corrected long ago. It’s unacceptable. And I hope it never happens again."

Crismon also lives in Murfreesboro. He has spent most of his 17-year career as a lawyer with Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, where he was managing attorney for eight years and the director of a "Volunteer Lawyers Program" for nearly three years.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Crismon said communication with constituents will be one of his top goals.

If elected judge, Crismon wants to hold community meetings quarterly with parents, guardians and children in partnership with Murfreesboro and Rutherford County school districts.

"There is going to have to be a repairing of the breach with our community," said Crismon, a 17-year attorney.

Crismon also said his education goals will include staff training to implement best practices in the delivery of juvenile court services.

Candidates say rehabilitation should be a top goal for juvenile court

Juvenile court, Lampley said, should not be about incarceration punishments — unless lawfully are needed to protect the community and children, Lampley said.

"The goal of juvenile court is for habilitation and rehabilitation, and the preservation of the family unit," Lampley said.

"My ultimate goal is to restore impartiality and equality in the courtroom, while upholding the law."

Lampley spent 10 years in private practice in Murfreesboro focusing on cases involving families, juveniles and parental rights proceedings.

Crismon also said adjudication of cases must ensure the court protects the community and victims.

Crismon mentioned similar goals of rehabilitating children who have committed delinquent acts "to help steer our young people" and "see if they can be restored and be back in the community."

Another goal, Crismon said, involves restoration with juvenile court implementing more diversionary and community based rehabilitation practices by exploring opportunities with Youth Villages, TN Youth Court and other community and faith-based partners.

Attorneys tout community service

In addition to being an attorney, Crismon has served as pastor of Higher Ground Worship Center in Murfreesboro since 2009.

Crismon has previously served on the board of directors for Greenhouse Ministries, Doors of Hope and Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center.

Lampley also has provided community leadership beyond his legal profession.

He currently serves as the chair of the Murfreesboro City School Foundation and is a local Little League baseball coach. He is an alumni of Leadership Rutherford and previously served as a diplomat for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions through emailing sbroden@dnj.com or calling 615-278-5158. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.

Election dates

• Primary for offices in Rutherford County: May 3

• Election for offices in Rutherford County and Murfreesboro, and primaries for state and federal offices: Aug. 4

• Election for federal, state, Eagleville, La Vergne and Smyrna offices: Nov. 8

Source: Rutherford County Election Commission

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Rutherford County Juvenile Court judge race: Candidates running 2022