Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance announces candidacy for Re-election

Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance

Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance

Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for re-election as Circuit Court Judge, Part II, to continue serving the people of the Fourth Judicial District, which includes Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke, and Grainger Counties.

In announcing his candidacy, Judge Vance said; “ For the past sixteen years, it has been an honor and privilege to serve the people as your Circuit Court Judge. I hope to continue this service and live up to the trust and confidence the people of the district have placed in me. I have an excellent working relationship with the other Circuit Judges, Rex Ogle, Ben Hooper, Duane Slone and Chancellor Telford Forgety, and feel that we have made great progress in the fair administration of justice in the district.”

“A judge must understand that each case is the most important one for the parties involved and respect the right of every person to be heard. Each case affects peoples’ lives and it is the duty of a judge to insure that everyone gets a fair trial”, said Vance in discussing his judicial responsibilities. “I have particular concern for cases involving children, whether in divorce, adoption, or as victims in criminal cases. They are the most important asset our country has and we must not only protect them but guide them as they become the next generation of American Citizens to lead our nation.” Judge Vance has established his commitment to our young people not only in his judicial decisions but also by many previous years of volunteer service as a scout leader and as a director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation.

Judge Vance was first appointed to his office by Governor Sundquist in 1997 to fill the vacancy in Part II, after Judge William R. Holt, Jr. retired. He was re-elected without opposition in 1998 and again in 2006.

Judge Dick Vance is a native East Tennesseean, born in Knoxville, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law. He is a past president of the Sevier County UT Alumni Chapter. He has a great love for the Smoky Mountains and is a supporter of the Friends of the Smokies.

Upon graduation from law school, Judge Vance volunteered for service in the United States Air Force, serving over four years active duty, attaining the rank of Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Department and served as a Military Judge, presiding over court martial cases. He is a member of American Legion Post 104 and served overseas in Korea. He was an organizer of the Sevier County Veteran’s Monument Committee which created the Veteran’s Monument, topped by a magnificent bronze eagle, which stands on the courthouse lawn.

Upon returning home from the Air Force, Dick served with the City of Knoxville Law Department and practiced law in Sevier and Knox counties. He served as Chief Assistant District Attorney General on Al Schmutzer’s staff for over 18 years. He has also taught Criminal Law and Procedure at Walters State College.

His late parents, Richard and Cora Ramsey Vance, were residents of Pigeon Forge. His mother was born in Pittman Center and his dad’s family was from Grainger County. He has lived in both Grainger and Sevier Counties and has family roots in every county in the district. Dick is married to Elizabeth and has three children, Richard Vance III, Susan Vance Seals, and Mary Elizabeth Vance. He has three grandchildren, Victoria, Chance and Wyatt. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Sevierville.

“I have asked thousands of jurors to listen to the proof, follow the law, be fair to both sides, and then just do what’s right. As your Circuit Judge, I will continue to do the same thing to the very best of my ability,” said Judge Vance.