Candidates reviewed for Spring Hill municipal judge, city honors Judge Hood after serving 4 years

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·3 min read
Gavel of the judge, Themis statue, the clock and the scale on the gray background.
Gavel of the judge, Themis statue, the clock and the scale on the gray background.

The Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen will soon make its choice for a new municipal city judge.

Six of seven candidates applying for the spot met with BOMA members Monday, in which each was given a 15-minute Q&A session to answer questions and conduct the interview process publicly.

Prior to the interviews, the BOMA recognized outgoing Municipal Court Judge Deana Hood, who has served in the position over the last four years. Her decision to step down was due to her recent May 3 primary win for state Circuit Court.

Hood also spoke about her appreciation for the job, while also sharing a few words of advice for the prospective candidates.

Stuart Taylor holds signs for Deana Hood for Circuit Court Judge and Sharon Guff for Juvenile Court Judge during 2022 Primary Elections in Williamson County at Brenthaven Church in Brentwood, Tenn., Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Stuart Taylor holds signs for Deana Hood for Circuit Court Judge and Sharon Guff for Juvenile Court Judge during 2022 Primary Elections in Williamson County at Brenthaven Church in Brentwood, Tenn., Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

"Professionally and personally, this has been one of the most rewarding jobs that I have done," Hood said. "I can't tell you how much I have loved this job over the last four years."

Candidates applying for municipal court judge include:

  • Sarah D. Cornett

  • Nicole R. Dusche

  • David Grimmett

  • Angela R. Hoover

  • Seth Lasater

  • Byron Lindburg

  • Shane McNeill

Earlier in the day, Hood had also invited the candidates to sit in with her in the courtroom and observe its operations, which also happened to be her last official day as city judge.

"It's my wish for them that they have as wonderful of an experience as I have had," Hood said. "For most people, this is their only experience with the legal system, and when they leave out of this court I hope they felt they were listened to and treated with respect and dignity. Even if they lost, hopefully they walked away learning a little bit about the law."

Spring Hill City Attorney also acknowledged working with Hood over the last four years, calling it a "distinct pleasure of mine to practice before her."

The municipal city judge primarily oversees low-level criminal cases, such as traffic and minor code violations.

Questions from BOMA members ranged from each candidate's experience in the courtroom to how they would conduct themselves and what they would consider their biggest mistake as an attorney and/or judge.

Some were also asked about their experience in the city, how much they know about Spring Hill and how they view the position as judge in regards to their role in local activism, as well as a judge's overall relationship with the BOMA.

Mayor Jim Hagaman speaks at the 2022 State of The City address on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Mayor Jim Hagaman speaks at the 2022 State of The City address on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

"The attainment of a city judge is a big deal, a big deal for your professional career, but more than that, more than yourself, it's a big deal for the city you will judge for," Mayor Jim Hagaman said. "I appreciate [the candidates] and I think I can speak for my teammates that I say we appreciate you for your interest."

All of Monday's interviews can be viewed online on Spring Hill's city website at www.SpringHillTN.org/574/VIDEO.

The appointment of a new municipal court judge will appear as a resolution on the BOMA's Tuesday, Sept. 6 work session agenda, where it will go before a vote.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Candidates reviewed for Spring Hill municipal judge