Assistant DA running for juvenile court judge

Assistant District Attorney General Victoria “Vickie” Bannach is running as a Republican candidate for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge.

“As a parent and prosecuting attorney, she has seen first-hand the importance of stable families, strong values, good education, and discipline in raising healthy, well-adjusted children, and maintaining a safe community,” a press release said.

Bannach is one of five potential candidates for Anderson County Juvenile Court judge. The current juvenile court judge, Brandon Fisher, a Clinton Democrat, is running for Anderson County chancellor.

In the press release, Bannach said she will ensure that the children and families of Anderson County are treated with compassion, and reunification, fairness, and equality will be considered in juvenile court cases. At the same time, the best interests of the children will be protected, she said.

“The residents of Anderson County deserve no less,” Bannach said.

Bannach helped District Attorney General Dave Clark establish the Anderson County Child Advocacy Center, a child-friendly facility where child victims and witnesses can go to be interviewed, evaluated, and get treatment for the abuse and neglect they have suffered at the hands of their abusers. After the center was established, Bannach served as a board member for the Child Advocacy Center.

“Our children are our future,” Bannach said. “I want to help those who cannot help themselves.”

The press release said Bannach is also a longtime member of the Anderson County Child Protective Investigative Team, or CPIT, a team made up of many disciplines that is required by law to work in one accord to review reported allegations of severe child abuse. The team vigorously works together to guarantee that each case receives the investigative effort that it deserves. This experience lends to Bannach’s ability to assist agencies in working together toward a common goal, i.e., the best interest of the children, the release said.

As a prosecutor, Bannach works in different courts, but she has been the primary Juvenile Court prosecutor for several years. This time in court has allowed her to acquire the specialized knowledge she would need in conducting and performing the judicial duties that would be required of her, the release said. Bannach has also prosecuted criminal cases where children are the victims, including child physical and sexual abuse cases. Prosecuting abuse cases allows her to work closely with the victims and their families and to see how the abuse directly affects them.

“These effects have to be considered, among other things, when prosecuting cases involving child victims,” Bannach said.

The press release said Bannach has been a prosecutor in Juvenile Court since she began prosecuting in 2005, and she has gained experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of juveniles in delinquent and unruly cases, while at the same time learning to balance the best interest of the child with the interest of the State of Tennessee. Also, she has worked closely with the Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Clinton school systems in trying to increase our student graduation success rate and decrease truancy, the release said.

Bannach lives in Clinton with her husband Shawn and their daughter. They attend Second Baptist Church in Clinton. Bannach graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree with an option in cytotechnology.

She began law school in 2001. In law school, Bannach was a member of the Christian Legal Society, as well as the Appalachian Women in Law organization. While pursuing her doctorate degree, Bannach worked in child support. Bannach graduated with honors, Cum Laude, from the Appalachian School of Law.

“She has since been a prosecuting attorney seeking to do justice and to improve her community by making it a better and safer place to live, work, and raise families,” the release said.

For more information, you can visit Bannach’s Facebook page at Victoria “Vickie” Bannach for Anderson County Juvenile Court Judge for continuing information on her campaign.

The Anderson County primaries are May 6, and the county general election is Aug. 7.