Political News: Judge Loughry seeks re-election in Rutherford County

Jul 11, 2014 at 01:27 pm by bryan


Rutherford County General Sessions Court, Part II Judge David Loughry announced today he will run for re-election.

“I love what I do. I love helping people. I try to be fair and treat everyone equally, while maintaining the integrity of the office,” Loughry said.

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Loughry presides over criminal cases as they enter the judicial system. “Everything starts in General Sessions. We issue warrants, hold preliminary hearings and set bonds. Where probable cause is found, those cases go to Circuit Court,” he said.

In addition to criminal cases, Loughry resolves traffic citations.  He works on thousands of Tennessee Highway Patrol tickets and criminal cases each year.

The three-term judge initially heard juvenile, probate, civil and criminal cases. During this time, Loughry helped establish the Rutherford County Court Appointed Special Advocate program. “Children need an adult to speak for them. Parents aren’t always there. They need an advocate to help them with what they need to survive in the world – clothing, education, a place to stay or special needs. Children can’t do that for themselves. CASA’s a good program, and it still works today,” he said.

Loughry also wrote the private act to establish the Rutherford County General Sessions Court, Part III, which was approved by the County Commission and State Legislature.

Prior to serving as judge, Loughry practiced law for 17 years. He worked at Smith & Sellers for two years, before establishing his own practice, representing clients in many areas of the law, including criminal, civil, divorce and bankruptcy.

Loughry serves on the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct and is past president of Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference, Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association, and Andrew Jackson Inn of Courts, part of the Inns of Court national association. He also serves on the Board of Governors for the American Judges Association.

Loughry has been an Adjunct Professor for the past five years for Middle Tennessee State University’s Criminal Justice Department. He is a member of the Blue Raider Athletic Association. Loughry attends First United Methodist Church and served on the Church’s Building and Finance committees.

A Lascassas native, Loughry is a graduate of University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Tennessee School of Law and Central High School. He served as 1st Lieutenant of the U.S. Army Transportation Corp after law school.

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