TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Nov 17, 2022

Just City, a Memphis-based criminal justice reform nonprofit, has released a new report grading four Shelby County judges on timeliness, neutrality, how often a public defender was appointed, dignity, sensitivity, the ability to hear a judge, and access to the courtroom. Judges Lee V. Coffee, Chris Craft, Karen Massey and Ronald Lucchesi were observed by court watchers who scored each judge between a one and four in each category. Coffee averaged the best score across the categories, followed by Lucchesi, Massey and Craft. Just City’s Yonée Gibson says she hopes the report will hold judges accountable and lead to changes at the courthouse. Three more reports are expected to be published. Read more from the Commercial Appeal.