FROM ANDRAE CRISMON, CANDIDATE FOR GENERAL SESSIONS JUDGE

Andrae P. Crismon is a candidate for the Rutherford County General Sessions Judge seat. Andrae is a native of Shelbyville, Tennessee but has lived in Rutherford County for almost 20 years. He has worked as an attorney for nearly 12 years, the last 9 with Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee - a non-profit law firm dedicated to providing civil legal assistance to lowincome, elderly and disabled persons. He has served as the Managing Attorney of Legal Aid Society's Murfreesboro Office for the past 5 years.

Crismon has handled a variety of legal matters including divorces, orders of protection, housing evictions and debt collection cases. He also has handled several administrative hearings including unemployment, food stamps, Social Security disability and TennCare appeals.

If elected, Crismon promises to do three things:

(1) respectfully listen to all attorneys and parties before him;
(2) fairly apply the law; and
(3) actively work with community agencies to help equip persons who have been incarcerated to successfully re-enter society.

Consistent with his focus on re-entry, Crismon, as part of the Journey of Life Academy, has taught males at the Rutherford County Correctional Workhouse about Renter's Rights and Responsibilities for the past two years. He has also spoken with certain local officials regarding strategies to cut down recidivism. Mr. Crismon is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University Law School.

He is a member of the Rutherford/Cannon County Bar Association, Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club and a Board Member of Matthew Walker Community Health Center. He is the son of Brenda Crismon and (the late) Larry J. Crismon, Sr. He is married to the former Crystal Robinson and they have two boys, Andrae II and Caleb. Crismon also serves as pastor of Higher Ground Worship Center.