DA, public defender to discuss county justice system April 21

League of Women Voters celebrates 69th birthday

Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark and Public Defender Tom Marshall will discuss the current status of the county’s justice system during Lunch with the League on Tuesday, April 21.

After their presentation, the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will celebrate its 69th birthday. Everyone is invited to stay after the meeting or come at 1 p.m. to celebrate with cake and social time, a press release said.

The presentation by Clark and Marshall is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“There won’t be defendants, witnesses, or a jury but the prosecutor—Dave Clark—and the defender—Tom Marshall—will discuss the current status of the Anderson County criminal justice system,” the press release said.

The Seventh Judicial District encompasses all of Anderson County. The district attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all criminal cases on behalf of the citizens of the state. The public defender’s office represents individuals accused of crimes who cannot afford a lawyer. Both the district attorney and public defender are elected for eight-year terms.

LWVOR was started in 1946. According to a publication produced for its 50th anniversary, “the chapter grew out of a small group of women anxious to work toward world peace, who called themselves Women for World Government.” However, they soon realized their limitations as an individual body and began the process to become a chapter of the LWV. Today, LWVOR is one of the oldest and largest chapters in Tennessee.

Sponsored by LWVOR, Lunch with the League is open to the public. There is no cost to attend and reservations are not needed. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government and works to increase understanding of public policy through unbiased studies of public issues. Membership is open to both men and women. For more information, visit lwvoakridge.org.