Ruchee Patel for Shelby County Criminal Court Judge

First Day of Early Voting – Friday, July 17, 2026

Last Day of Early Voting – Saturday, August 1, 2026

Election Day – Thursday, August 6, 2026

About Ruchee Patel

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Judicial Candidate Guide

Updates & Blog Posts

Support Patel For Judge

Ruchee Patel expresses gratitude for support and invites contributions to her campaign for Shelby County Criminal Court Judge. Key updates, including voting logistics, are available on her website. With extensive legal experience and community involvement, Patel emphasizes her capability to address court backlogs and encourages voter engagement through sharing her…

Endorsement By A Mentor

Massive thank you to my friend and mentor, Larry Rice, and his lovely wife Joy Rice, for welcoming me into their beautiful home and for their incredible endorsement. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from Larry. I want to share three lessons he taught me that completely shaped the…

Truth About Trial Experience

In this race for Division 8, you are going to hear candidates talking about ‘trial experience.’ Some of my opponents have almost none. Some candidates have decades of it. I’ve handled multiple Criminal and Civil jury trials as both lead and second chair in both State and Federal Courts. But…

Blueprint for Efficiency

Public trust in Shelby County’s criminal justice system is low due to case backlogs and inefficiencies. Candidate Ruchee Patel proposes reforms to improve courtroom efficiency by adopting federal speedy trial standards and enhancing the management of defense attorney resources. Patel emphasizes the need for modern administrative practices to restore faith…

Vision for Criminal Court

We have a Federal Task Force in Our Community; We need a Federal Trial Attorney on Our Bench. I am the only candidate who can bring Private Sector Business Experience to solve the Public Sector Bureaucratic Backlog. I have protected the Rights of the People of Shelby County for nearly…

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Frequently Asked Questions

🗳️ Voting & Ballot Mechanics

Q: When is election day, and how does early voting work?

A: The official County General election is on August 6, 2026. However, you don’t have to wait until August to cast your ballot. Early Voting runs from July 17 through August 1, 2026, at various high-turnout locations across Shelby County. Because this is a non-partisan judicial race, there is no primary or runoff—whoever gets the most votes wins the seat.

Q: Where exactly will I find your name on the ballot?

A: The ballot is sorted alphabetically by last name, which means in this crowded eight-way race, PATEL is at the absolute bottom of the ballot for Criminal Court Division 8. Candidates often rely on voters picking a name at the top out of fatigue: I am asking my voters to stay focused, skip the noise, and scroll all the way to the bottom!

⚖️ Experience & Qualifications

Q: What is your actual courtroom and trial experience?

A: I have nearly two decades of state and federal criminal defense litigation experience. I built a criminal defense practice from the ground up as a solo practitioner before joining the Donati Law Firm. I have handled hundreds of felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as traffic citations and orders of protections. Particularly close to my heart, I volunteer in the mental health hospital system by representing persons who have been involuntarily committed to treatment for their safety. From bond hearings to jury trials, I have defended the rights of people of Shelby County.

Q: Why step away from a successful private practice to run for Judge?

A: Because public trust in our legal system is wavering, and our local courts are bogged down by systemic stagnation and multi-year backlogs. I am running because I know firsthand how an inefficient courtroom disrupts families, harms victims, and wastes tax dollars. I am ready to trade in my law practice to serve the people of Shelby County.

Vote for Ruchee Patel for Shelby County Criminal Court Judge for Division VIII

“We have a Federal Task Force in Our Community, we need a Federal Trial Attorney on the Bench” – RJP

I have devoted my career to defending the rights of the people of Shelby County.