Rex Sparks
Age: 62
Occupation: Current attorney, former carpenter, roofer, book seller, security guard, probation and parole officer, and assistant district attorney.
Residence: Signal Mountain
Years lived in Hamilton County: 9 years
Family: Married, nine children, eight grandchildren
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from Kennesaw State University; Juris Doctorate from O.W. Coburn School of Law; Additional Coursework in law, government and public policy completed at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va.
Previous Public Office Experience: State GOP Delegate and National Alternate GOP Delegate Church or Civic Involvement; Member of Signal Mountain United Methodist Church; Administrative Council of Signal Mountain UMC; Lay Leader, Signal Mountain UMC; Delegate to Holston Annual Conference; Sunday school teacher; Choir Member; Bible in the Schools Committee member; Fundraiser for Hamilton County Transformation Project; Advisory Council Mountain District Chair; Boy Scouts of America Executive Council Member; Cherokee Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Dixie Youth Baseball assistant coach; member of the Music Boosters; Signal Mountain Middle High School; member of Pachyderm Club of Hamilton County, member of Lions Club of Hamilton County
Achievements: member of state bars in Tennessee and Virginia, member of Chattanooga Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Former Assistant District Attorney General, Former Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia, experienced in criminal law, family law, civil disputes, mediation and administrative law; moot court judge; adjunct law professor; recipient of Outstanding Young Men of America Award
What is the biggest challenge facing the office you are seeking, and how would you address it?
General Sessions Court is the busiest court in Hamilton County. It is being run inefficiently, causing citizens to wait for hours needlessly and many people that are victims and witnesses to crimes are forced to return repeatedly and unnecessarily. I would structure the daily docket call to reschedule all first appearances of defendants who had not yet hired attorneys at the start of the docket, clearing out many of the people often waiting hours to get a rescheduled hearing date. I would also like to add a weekly night court for low level misdemeanor offenses (i.e., public intoxication, simple trespass, etc.) that don’t require an officer’s presence to settle. People would not have to miss time from work or school. I believe the “Golden Rule” still works and I will treat people with respect and courtesy, just as I would want to be treated.
Why should voters choose you?
Being a Christian conservative, I desire to return some of the blessing I’ve received. I feel my more than 28 years as an attorney, more than qualifies me to be judge. I want to be a judge for all the people, all the time.
Domestic Violence Cases over the last four years are being dismissed at a rate greater than 64 percent. Whereas, 10 years ago, only 20 percent were dismissed. Domestic violence is too serious to be treated this way. We must do better.
I am ready and willing to work hard for you. My opponent used 95 special judges while she was not on the bench over the past four years, while other judges were always far less. Bales used 35, Starnes 12 and Statom 3. I am willing to stay on the bench as a servant of the people. Please, help spark a change, vote Rex Sparks.