The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) has announced an expansion of its Judicial Outreach Liaison (JOL) program by including two additional judges, Judge Beau Pemberton and Judge James Ross. Tennessee is the first state to broaden the JOL program to include more than one judge.
THSO Director Buddy Lewis highlighted the uniqueness of this expansion, stating, “No other state participating in the national JOL program has ever expanded their program beyond one judge.” The newly added judges will serve as Regional JOLs, supporting State JOL Judge Donald Parish in reaching more areas across the state. The primary aim is to decrease impaired driving by enhancing awareness through this initiative.
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The JOLs play a vital role in supporting the criminal justice system by working to prevent impaired driving and ensuring appropriate consequences for traffic offenses. They offer training, guidance, and court case interpretations to judges and traffic safety professionals. Their efforts include teaching, writing, and consulting to ensure all stakeholders, from arrest to sentencing, are informed of best practices and the latest research to help reduce impaired-driving fatalities and prevent repeat offenses.
Judge Donald Parish expressed enthusiasm about expanding the JOL team, stating, “This program will help bridge gaps of information and improve communication among entities,” particularly benefiting local communities and often underserved areas.
Judge Donald Parish, who retired after 41 years in law, serves as Tennessee’s State JOL. His extensive experience includes 25 years in private practice, part-time service as a municipal court judge, and 16 years as a circuit court judge in Huntingdon. Serving as Regional JOLs, Judge Beau Pemberton is a sitting municipal court judge for several rural municipalities and practices law in Dresden, while Judge James Ross is a general sessions judge in Wayne County and practices law in Waynesboro.
The JOL program in Tennessee was established through a cooperative agreement involving the American Bar Association’s Judicial Division, the University of Tennessee’s Center for Traffic Safety Research, the THSO, and Tennessee Tech University’s iCube, with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The program also provides advisory support to THSO’s Impaired Driving Advisory Council, aimed at reducing impaired-driving fatalities in the state.
For more information about the THSO and its JOL program, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.
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Tennessee Human Rights Commission Releases 2024 Reports
The Tennessee Human Rights Commission has published its annual report for the fiscal year 2023-2024, detailing its organizational structure, educational outreach, and enforcement data. The report highlights efforts to combat discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Additionally, the Title VI Compliance Program report was approved, focusing on monitoring state compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. The Commission remains dedicated to protecting individuals from discrimination through education and enforcement. For more information, visit the [website](https://www.tn.gov/humanrights).