Ardena J. Garth
Age: 58
Occupation: Public Defender, 11th Judicial District
Residence: Chattanooga
Years lived in Hamilton County: 56 years
Family: Married; two children
Education: University of Kansas, Juris Doctorate, 1981; Middle Tennessee State University, B.S. Political Science, 1978; Ooltewah High School, Valedictorian, 1974.
Previous Public Office Experience: 24 years as Public Defender, 11th Judicial District
Church or Civic Involvement: Member of Living Stones Ministry Church of God; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chattanooga Alumnae Chapter, Junior League of Chattanooga, Sustainer Member; and the Chattanooga Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Past member of Chattanooga Regional History Museum, the Bright School and Chattanooga Cares. Graduate of the first class, Leadership Chattanooga (1985). Member of Chattanooga Bar Association, Chancellor’s Roundtable (1992), University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and the Girls Preparatory School Parents Council.
Achievements: “Unbought and Unbossed” Award, 2006, Chattanooga Girls’ Inc.; “Women of Distinction”, American Lung Association; “Trail Blazer” Award, 2007, 100 Black Men of Chattanooga, Inc.;”The Heritage Distinguished Service” Award, Sounds of Unity Heritage Choir, 2008; Recognition of Community Involvement, Outstanding Leadership and Achievement Award, 2013, City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreations; Member, Tennessee Indigent Defense Commission, Member, Tennessee Supreme Court Commission on Ethnic and Racial Fairness; Member, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Member, Tennessee Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; and Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow, 1995.
What is the biggest challenge facing the office you are seeking, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge facing this office is expanding the public’s and members of the criminal justice community’s perception and understanding to include the fact that the United States and Tennessee Constitutions contain principles that persons accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty and that the Constitutions require that all persons regardless of economic status are entitled to an adequate defense.
The Sixth, Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Sections 7, 9 and 10 of the Tennessee Constitution, clearly state these principles and subsequent interpretations by the courts have strongly affirmed these safeguards to liberty. Providing resources to support indigent defense representation is not just an economic issue, it ensures access to the benefits of the Constitutions to all citizens, and provides fair and reliable outcomes. I will continue to address this challenge by doing my job with integrity and expertise.
Why should voters choose you?
Prominent among the issues are leadership and experience. I am dedicated to representing people who are in need of criminal defense but who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The citizens elected me as their first Public Defender. I have been elected to three terms with strong public affirmation. I have practiced both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. I have 31 years of experience in practicing law and remain vigorous and energetic. I have been “Right on Crime” for over 20 years, by creating the position of Sentencing Advocate. This position has enabled flexibility in the judicial system and enhanced public safety. I have been recognized by my peers and my community with numerous positions of leadership and responsibility and many awards for professional and public service. I do not want voters to feel comfortable voting for me. I want voters to be confident voting for me.