Public trust in our criminal justice system is at rock bottom. For too long, the criminal justice system in Shelby County has been bogged down by systemic stagnation. Multi-year case backlogs don’t just create frustrating statistics; they harm victims waiting for closure, prolong uncertainty for defendants, and drain taxpayer resources. Justice delayed is Justice denied, for all Stakeholders.
A courtroom cannot function effectively without active docket management. As a private-sector attorney who has spent nearly two decades navigating both state and federal courts, I know that we don’t have to accept the status quo. We can bring modern, administrative efficiency to 201 Poplar.
If given the honor to serve as your next Criminal Court Judge, here is exactly how I plan to run our courtroom:
1. Bringing Federal “Speedy Trial” Standards to State Court
When people talk about my experience as a federal CJA (Criminal Justice Act) Panel Attorney, they usually focus on the complexity of the constitutional law involved. But there is another critical difference between federal and state courts: time management. Federal courts do not let cases languish for years on endless reset loops. They operate under the strict guidelines of the Speedy Trial Act, utilizing rigid Scheduling Orders that hold all parties accountable. As Judge, I will bring this federal-level procedural discipline to our local bench. We will implement strict “Trial Readiness” audits and firm deadlines. Demanding accountability from all the Stakeholders that serve the rights of the people of Shelby County.
2. Enforcing Supreme Court Rule 13 Limits
Under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 13, court-appointed defense attorneys are strictly capped in the amount of time they can bill to represent indigent defendants. Currently, these attorneys are often forced to waste their limited, state-funded hours showing up to court just to ask the State to hand over basic discovery files or plea offers. This is an inefficient use of taxpayer money and a threat to the constitutional rights of the accused.
I will hold the process accountable. I will require the State to provide a complete discovery file to the defense before any deadline clock officially begins. By demanding that the heavy organizational work is done upfront by the State and law enforcement, court-appointed counsel can use their limited Rule 13 hours exactly as intended: evaluating the evidence, consulting with their clients, and securing an informed disposition without unnecessary delays.
3. Managing Our Infrastructure by Valuing Your Time
Anyone who has spent time inside the 201 Poplar courthouse or read the local news knows that our physical infrastructure is struggling. Between broken elevators, flooding, and failing air conditioning, the building itself is a challenge. While a judge cannot fix the pipes or the AC, a judge can control how many people are forced into those crowded hallways. Currently, hundreds of citizens—defendants, victims, police officers, and families—are forced to take time off work, burn their PTO, and lose hourly wages just to sit in a crowded courtroom for a three-minute “non-dispositive” status reset.
This is unacceptable. By utilizing modern technology and issuing proactive scheduling orders, I will actively minimize the number of people required to physically appear in my courtroom for routine, non-dispositive settings. If nothing substantive is happening, we will not force working people to crowd into 201 Poplar just to kick the can down the road.
The Bottom Line
Running a fair, efficient, and transparent courtroom requires a judge who understands the time-value of labor and knows how to apply private-sector accountability to public service. I have spent nearly 20 years fighting for your rights in both state and federal courts. I am ready to step up and bring that dedication, structure, and operational excellence to the bench.
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 20 Years. If you are a Registered Voter, then you are STAKEHOLDER in the Future of Shelby County. Make Your Voice Heard: Vote for Candidate for Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Ruchee Patel.
🗳️ A Critical Note on the Ballot
Because this is a crowded, seven-way special election, the ballot is sorted alphabetically by last name. That means Ruchee Patel is the 6th name of seven on the ballot. Don’t let the ballot fatigue get to you! Skip the noise, scroll all the way, and cast your vote for Patel For Judge.
Early Voting: July 17 – August 1
Election Day: August 6
Learn more: Patel4Judge.com
Paid for by Patel for Judge. Treasurer Janelle Osowski. Compliant with TN Code § 2-19-120.
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