Election Day is August 6, 2026 -- Vote Criminal Court Division 8
Criminal Court Division 8 · Shelby County
Joe Ozment
For Judge
August 6, 2026 · Shelby County General Election
34 years of courtroom experience. Rooted in Memphis. Ready to serve from the bench.
34+
Years in Practice
1,000s
Clients Represented
4
Courts of Appeal
20+
Years on Drug Court Board
Rooted in Memphis
Fighting for Justice From Both Sides of the Bar
Joe Ozment has spent over 34 years fighting for clients in Tennessee's courtrooms, from first-time offenders to capital cases. His career is defined not by politics, but by a relentless commitment to the principle that every person deserves fair and vigorous representation.
Now Joe is ready to bring that same dedication to the bench, as a judge who knows the law, respects every person who walks into the courtroom, and has the experience to make decisions that are both just and wise.
34 years practicing criminal law at every level, from state trial courts to federal court. Joe has won reversals at the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court, and the Sixth Circuit.
Community Leadership
Past President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Memphis Bar Criminal Law Section, and the Shelby County Drug Court Foundation. Joe has spent decades building a better justice system.
A Reform-Minded Bench
Joe believes in rehabilitation, second chances, and a court system that treats every defendant with dignity. His 20+ years on the Drug Court and Veterans Court boards put action behind those words.
August 6, 2026
The Election is Less Than Two Months Away.
Joe Ozment has spent more than 34 years earning this moment. Help him bring experience, fairness, and reform to the bench.
About Joe Ozment
34 Years. Thousands of Clients. One Mission.
A career defined by the belief that every person deserves fair, vigorous representation.
Joe Ozment -- Candidate for Criminal Court Judge, Division 8
Memphis, TN34+ Years PracticeRule 13 Capital-Qualified
Biography
Rooted in Memphis. Fighting for Justice.
Joe Ozment has spent over 34 years fighting for clients in Tennessee's courtrooms, from first-time offenders to capital cases. His career is defined not by politics, but by a relentless commitment to the principle that every person deserves fair and vigorous representation.
A graduate of the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia (1993), one of the nation's premier training programs for criminal defense attorneys, Joe has spent more than three decades honing his craft at every level of the court system.
He has extensive appellate experience before the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, having won reversals at all of those courts. His appellate record reflects not just persistence, but a deep command of constitutional law.
Since 1992 he has been a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is also a member of the Memphis Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Career Timeline
Tested in Every Court.
1992
Began Criminal Defense Practice
Joined the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at its founding. Started building a practice defending clients across Shelby County and beyond.
1993
National Criminal Defense College
Completed training at the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia, one of the nation's most rigorous and respected training programs for criminal defense attorneys.
1990s+
Appellate Record Across 4 Courts
Won reversals at the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, a rare appellate record demonstrating mastery of constitutional law.
20+ yrs
Shelby County Drug Court Foundation
Served as board member and past President. Has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide drug and alcohol treatment and save lives across Shelby County.
Present
Shelby County Veterans' Court Foundation
Currently serves on the board supporting rehabilitation and second-chance justice for veterans. Those who served our country deserve the same dedication in our courts.
Past
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, President
Served as President of TACDL, the statewide organization representing over one thousand criminal defense attorneys across Tennessee.
Past
Memphis Bar Association, Criminal Law Section President
Past President of the Criminal Law Section, helping shape the standards of criminal defense practice across the Memphis region.
"His track record of dedication to criminal justice in Shelby County speaks for itself."
Key Issues
Where Joe Stands
A judge shaped by 34 years in the courtroom, not by politics.
Fairness and Equal Justice
Every person who walks into a courtroom, regardless of their background, income, or circumstances, deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. Joe has spent 34 years ensuring that principle is upheld, and will carry it to the bench.
Accountability and Smart Sentencing
A strong justice system holds people accountable while also identifying the best path to lasting public safety. Joe's 20+ years on the Shelby County Drug Court Foundation board reflect his belief that addressing root causes such as addiction and mental health, when appropriate, produces better outcomes for victims, families, and communities than incarceration alone. Consequences must be real and meaningful. But where treatment and structured supervision can break the cycle of reoffending, that is the smarter, safer choice for Memphis.
Support for Veterans in the Justice System
Veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system deserve specialized support and understanding. As a current board member of the Shelby County Veterans' Court Foundation, Joe has backed this belief with action for years.
Upholding Constitutional Rights
Joe has argued constitutional law before four courts, including the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and won reversals that protected defendants' rights. As a judge, he will bring that same rigorous constitutional standard to every ruling.
A Safer, Stronger Memphis
Real public safety comes from a justice system that is swift, fair, and respected by the community it serves. Joe is committed to running an efficient, impartial courtroom that strengthens the public's trust in the court system.
Community Accountability
A judge is accountable to the community. Joe has spent decades giving back, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Memphis charities through the Mystic Krewe of Pegasus and serving on boards that directly improve lives.
Reform Starts from the Inside.
With a judge who knows the law, respects every person in the courtroom, and has the experience to make decisions that are both just and wise.
Donate
Fuel the Campaign
Your contribution directly supports field operations, yard signs, advertising, and outreach across Shelby County.
Why It Matters
Every Dollar Moves Votes.
Campaigns are won by showing up, at doors, on airwaves, in mailboxes, and at community events. Your donation funds the grassroots operation that will get Joe to the bench on August 8th.
Contributions of any size are welcome and deeply appreciated.
Mail a Check
Make checks payable to Campaign to Elect Joseph Ozment and mail to the campaign at the address on the Contact page.
