Robert Newman seeks judge seat
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Newman, a Warren County native, was raised on the family farm on Viola Road in the Brookside community. His father, Edley Newman, was manager of Caney Fork Electric Cooperative for many years. His mother, Frances Locke Newman, was a homemaker and currently lives in an assisted living facility. His brother, Ed, and wife, Mamie, live on the family farm.
Newman has been married to Marsha Garmon Newman for 28 years. Mrs. Newman teaches at Warren County Middle School. Many remember her father, Tom Garmon, a career law enforcement officer and former sheriff of Warren County. Mrs. Newman’s mother, Ann Garmon, resides with the Newmans. Robert and Marsha Newman have four sons, ages 10 to 24.
Newman graduated from McMinnville City High School in 1969, received a BS degree in biology from Tennessee Tech in 1973, a pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee in 1977, and doctor of jurisprudence degree from the University of Memphis in 1981. A lawyer who is also a licensed pharmacist is a unique combination, but the pharmacy background has proven to be a real asset on several occasions in his law practice.
Newman has been active in his profession, the community and in the lives of his children. He has coached youth baseball and soccer and attended church and school functions armed with a camera and video recorder. He is involved in numerous civc organizations and civic boards.
Professionally, he is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee Trial Lawyer Association and is the immediate past president of the McMinnville Bar Association.
Newman said he plans to make changes in the court system which he believes will benefit the district and help reduce case backlog.
“One problem we currently have in the 31st District is a heavy backlog of cases,” Newman said. “In order to alleviate the backlog, I would hold a 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. docket each day. If the courtroom is sitting empty, the backlog of cases is not being reduced. I anticipate hearing non-jury matters on Saturday when necessary. Saturday court will not be popular with lawyers, but businesses and industries must many times work on Saturdays and the legal system should expect to be treated similarly.”
Newman pointed out he began his law practice from scratch, building a great relationship with the many families he has worked with during his two decades as an attorney. During that time, Newman said he has worked before many different judges and has developed an understanding of the qualities which good judges have in common. Newman added all persons who appear in court including victims of crime, witnesses, jurors, lawyers and law enforcement officers, should be treated with dignity and respect.
“People who appear before the court are real people with real problems, problems our legal system is designed to resolve in a peaceful and orderly manner,” Newman said.
Newman believes he has the qualities needed to be an effective and fair judge.
“I believe I have the qualities to be a good circuit judge for the 31st District: a sense of fairness, a passion for justice, knowledge of the law, 20 years of courtroom experience, respect for the law, and the experiences of life encountered in raising four sons,” Newman said. “As we say in the country, ‘I am not afraid of hard work,’ and I will work hard for the citizens of Warren and Van Buren counties.”