I am running for Criminal District Judge in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County for two reasons. First, I am personally vested  in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County. I live in the Bessemer Division, work in the Bessemer Division, go to church in the Bessemer Division, and have a daughter that attends school in the Bessemer Division. She plays on the playgrounds at parks in the Bessemer Division, so I truly care about the crimes and issues with our communities.  Second, I am running for a seat in the Criminal Division because criminal law is my passion.  I have practiced 100% criminal law since the start of my legal career and have handled over 2000+ criminal cases. I always knew I wanted to have a career in criminal law, so I attended The University of Alabama double majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science. While there, I was the president of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society and a recipient of The University of Alabama Department of Criminal Justice Chairperson's Award of Merit. Then I attended law school on a partial scholarship. 

 

In 2014, one week before I began my last year of law school, I became a mother. With the support of my husband, I was still able to successfully finish law school and pass the bar on my first attempt. After passing the bar, I set three goals for my legal career specifically in the field of public service: be a public defender, an assistant district attorney, and a trial attorney. I was able to achieve the first goal by accepting a position as a public defender. As a public defender, while representing hundreds of clients and spending hours inside of jails, I was able to see behind bars and separate the person from the criminal act. I realized that most of the clients had the same problems—low educational level, drug addictions, and high poverty rates. This realization led me to run for Criminal District Judge in 2017. I believed that if I was a judge, I could be able to help address these problems to lessen the possibility of someone re-offending.

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At the conclusion of a very close race, I did not win the election. That quick moment of defeat ushered in the opportunity to reach my second goal. One week after losing my race, I accepted a position as an assistant district attorney. Currently, as a prosecutor, I have the responsibility of seeking justice for victims of misdemeanors to capital murders. Little did I know when I mapped out my three goals for my legal career, with the grace of God, I would achieve all three within three years.

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Nearly six years later, I have the opportunity to run for Criminal District Judge again. My educational background, professional experiences, and vested involvement in the community has prepared me to serve as the next Criminal District Judge for the Bessemer Division. I am married to Sgt. John Brown, an U.S. Army Veteran and Assistant Commander for the Criminal Investigations Divisions at The University of Alabama and I am a mother. We are members of New Life Interfaith Ministries under the leadership and guidance of Pastor George M. Matthews, II.