David "Hawk" Allen for Shelby County Criminal Court Division 8
Vote Hawk Allen for Criminal Court Div. 8 Judge
ELECTION DAY IS AUGUST 5'TH 2026!!
EARLY VOTING BEGINS JULY 17'TH & ENDS AUGUST 1, 2026!
About Me
Background
I completed my undergraduate degree in anthropology and creative writing, participated in a graduate program in criminal justice, and received my law degree, from the University of Memphis. While attending the Cecil C. Humphrey's School of law I volunteered hundreds of hours to pro bono legal service, including assisting Memphians obtain expungement of some or all of their criminal record. Upon completion of law school, I began working for a civil litigation firm for 2-3 years, but eventually I fulfilled my desire to begin practicing criminal law. I obtained an appointment as an Assistant Public Defender, where I am currently employed, and I am the lead public defender in General Sessions 12 within the 12-4 silo. I defend indigent clients in multiple Criminal Courts including CC3, CC4, and CC7 currently. My wife Alexandria is, likewise, an Assistant Public Defender in a different Silo.
The Role
In Tennessee, a Criminal Court Judge is expected to be independent, fair, competent, and impartial while interpreting and applying the laws which govern criminal acts and societies response to such behaviors. While given some level of discretion, Judges do not create laws, but instead, are expected to apply existing law to various, and often complex, fact situations and circumstances.
If you look at any style (or heading) of any state criminal case it is always reads, The State of Tennessee v. the individual defendant. That is because it is the State who initiates charges against the individual and the State who has the burden of proving the individual has committed one or more alleged criminal acts. While the State does not represent the individual victim or victims, the State has an important and difficult role if it determines that the cost of an alleged crime should be the loss of freedom of the individual charged.
That's right, the entire State of Tennessee with its immense funds and other resources, including federal, state, and local governments, police, and other agencies against one individual defendant accused of a crime. Because of that disparity, and to prevent cruel or oppressive government rule, our national and state constitutions hold certain protections or procedural safeguards for the individual. You and every citizen of this state and country are the beneficiaries of these protections and safeguards.
Justice requires that an arbiter simultaneously apply such laws which protect the individuals fundamental right to fair treatment and due process while protecting the State's interest and that of all its citizens in preventing criminality and in rehabilitating and/or punishing those who have committed criminal acts.
Crime
In Shelby County, as in most large cities, there is a crime problem. While statistically crime has been trending downward, that has not translated to people feeling entirely safe in their homes, neighborhoods, streets, and schools. The proliferation of new media and social media combined with traditional media pound us daily with "News" of murders, shootings, carjackings robberies to the point that no one is now surprised by the news.
Some people assume that because I have been working in criminal defense, specifically in public defense, that I might not be the right choice when it comes to adjudicating criminal charges. To that I would say:
Successful Public Defenders have lived a commitment to upholding the rights of all manners of indigent defendants, including those with mental health or drug issues, veterans, the homeless, and those who are otherwise impoverished or disadvantaged, and have demonstrated their ability to remain open-minded and impartial as they carry out their duties.
Public Defenders have a familiarity through first-hand accounts, and experience representing clients facing the realities of being accused, tried, and convicted — from pretrial detention to sentencing, and we are well-versed in defending constitutional protections, such as the right to counsel, protection from self-incrimination, and fair trial rights, which are central to judicial decision-making.
Don't forget. Every person accused of a crime deserves a zealous defense and we public defenders are required to be zealous advocates for our clients. Remember too that we also work and live, like you, in Shelby County. We are some of the people who want to feel safe and for our families to feel safe in our homes, neighborhoods, streets, and schools.
Shelby County is plagued by a case backlog and jail overcrowding and both the Defendant's and the State deserve a swifter and more efficient, but fair, justice system.
This Page
This page and the content contained therein is not provided for or controlled by The Office of the Public Defender, my employer, and is personally provided for and controlled by Hawk Allen for my individual purposes and activities.
Not for Hire
This page is not a solicitation or an offer of any legal service or advice. As an Assistant Public Defender, I can only be appointed by a Court to a criminal defendant, and thus, I am not available for hire by the general public. I cannot accept clients, civil or criminal, or provide any legal service or advice to anyone that I am not appointed to, so please do not contact me for such purpose.
Contact Us
Hawk Allen, APD
201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, United States
Hours
Open today | 08:00 am – 04:30 pm |
Available after hours for some consultations!
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