Re-Elect Joe Brown
General Sessions Court Clerk
Get to Know Joe Brown General Sessions Court Clerk
Brown, a former member of the Memphis City Council for 21 years, provided unwavering and laser-focused support for community-driven revitalizations aimed at enhancing the quality of life for citizens. As the current General Sessions Court Clerk, he remains dedicated to his fight for the betterment of the citizens of Shelby County. He has expunged over 50,000 records to ensure that citizens are eligible for better employment opportunities, enabling them to provide for their families. Additionally, he restructured the administrative processes for the Driver’s Assistance Program (DAP) resulting in more than 4,000 Driver’s License reinstatements. He ensured that nine criminal courtrooms and six civil courtrooms were adequately staffed to process over 1,000 cases daily during the COVID pandemic leading to satisfactory record keeping. Furthermore, he championed raises for General Sessions and other eligible Shelby County employees, unearthed $16 Million in unaccounted funds, opened a satellite office at the Southbrook Mall in Whitehaven and engaged with the Hispanic community on several joint ventures to cultivate relationships.
Joe Brown for Clerk
It is my firm belief that Shelby County citizens come first. I am pleased and honored to serve as General Sessions Court Clerk. For that reason, I am seeking Re-Election to continue this service. The General Sessions Court is often the public’s first introduction to the judicial process. There are fifteen divisions of the Shelby County General Sessions Courts with an elected Judge to serve in each division thus making it the largest court in the state of Tennessee operating and maintaining the records and funds of Shelby County’s civil and criminal court.
Proven Leadership
• As a Memphis City Council member for 21 years, Brown voted for community driven revitalizations such as the Frayser Library, Orange Mound Community and Senior Citizen Center, Southbrook Town Center, Crosstown Concourse, Raleigh Springs Civic Center, Dave Wells Community Center, and many other developments throughout the city.
• As the current Clerk, he Identified $12.6 Million in unaccounted funds and returned an additional $3.5 Million to the county.
• Restructured administrative processes for the Driver’s Assistance Program (DAP) that resulted in Driver’s License reinstatements for more than 4,000 Shelby County Citizens.
• First Clerk to successfully host and coordinate annual county-wide expungement clinics for onsite record clearance and court cost settlements.
• Collaborated with Shelby County Commissioners resulting in a 5% raise for General Sessions and other eligible Shelby County employees, as well as a bonus for those who diligently worked during the COVID pandemic.
General Sessions Accomplishments
• Opened a satellite office at the Southbrook Mall in Whitehaven.
• Conducted expungement clinics throughout the community.
• Created the first General Sessions Court App for easier access to the website, cases, and information.
• Engaged with the Hispanic community on several joint ventures to cultivate relationships.
• Discovered $3 million in payments for mental health defendants that had not been properly accounted for or disbursed to Shelby County.
• Restructured and directed settlement processes resulting in over $170,000.00 being returned to sixty-two citizens previously held since they were minors.
• Ensured nine criminal courtrooms and six civil courtrooms were adequately staffed to process over 1,000 cases daily during the COVID pandemic for satisfactory record keeping.
• Working with Shelby County IT Department and other elected officials to upgrade the judicial case management systems.
Deep-Rooted In Our Community
• Temple of Deliverance COGIC Church member.
• Nephew of the late, great Bishop G.E. and Evangelist Louise Patterson, and Evangelist Frances Kelly.
• Born and raised in South Memphis and a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School.
• The Founder and President of Empire Janitorial and Supply Services Inc.
• A member of the NAACP, Mason Brotherhood, Loafers Inc, North Memphis Roundtable, and more.
• Recipient of the Christian Men of Distinction Award, Silver Star Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Community Leadership Award, National Small Business Award, VECA Public Services Award, The Stone “Nat Turner” Award, Black Business Association Benny Award, and others.
• Served on numerous boards such as: Northside Deregulated School Board, Kennedy Democratic Organization, Case Management, North Memphis Concerned Citizens, and many others.
• The current Clerk for the largest General Sessions Court in Tennessee.
Re-Elect Joe Brown General Sessions Court Clerk
Early Voting: February 14-27, 2024 Election Day: March 5, 2024
My re-election signifies continued progress and a brighter future for those who seek it. It is my hope that you will extend your support which will strengthen the success of my re-election campaign as General Sessions Court Clerk to continue serving the citizens of Shelby County.