House of Delegates

Six of the seven candidates for Hamilton County General Sessions Court judge answered questions at a Wednesday public forum co-sponsored by the Times Free Press and Chattanooga Bar Association. The seat was left vacant after Judge Bob Moon's death. Joe DeGaetano, Valerie Epstein, Yolanda Mitchell, Ron Powers, Gary Starnes and Patricia Best Vital took part in the forum. Interim Sessions Judge David Norton, who is also a candidate, did not attend due to illness. With minor variations each of the candidates said they approved of recording proceedings and would closely scrutinize requests for a court-appointed attorney. All also said they would be accessible after hours to attorneys within the court rules for discussing cases. Read the details and see a picture