In addition to voting for judges in 2022, Tennessee voters will be choosing district attorney generals and public defenders within their judicial districts. Like the other judicial offices, these positions serve 8 year terms.
In the 13th district, which includes Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White Counties, Republican incumbents will be running for re-election. This week, Public Defender Craig Fickling is featured.
Craig Fickling was elected District Public Defender for the 13th Judicial District in 2014. The Public Defender’s Office serves Cumberland, Clay, DeKalb, Overton, Pickett, Putnam and White counties. He is the first Republican elected District Public Defender in the Upper Cumberland.
Before his election Fickling practiced law with his wife Melaney. He has successfully argued cases before the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Tennessee Supreme Court, and the United States Circuit Court for the Sixth Circuit. He has tried several jury trials in State and Federal courts.
In 2020 he served as the President of the Tennessee District Public Defenders Conference. As conference President he was the principle executive officer for supervising the business of the conference while also assisting the Conference in advising the Tennessee General Assembly regarding legislation to improve the state’s criminal justice system.
Mr. Fickling is an active member, along with Criminal Court Judge Gary McKenzie and District Attorney Bryant Dunaway, of the Thirteenth Judicial District Recovery Court. This Court assists those who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Craig served on the Advisory Task Force on the Composition of Judicial Districts from 2018 to 2019.
Mr. Fickling is the son of an Episcopal priest. He has been an active member of Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church in Cookeville for many years, and currently serves on the Church Vestry.
Craig and Melaney are most proud of their son Lee. Lee is a senior at Cookeville High School and will graduate in May.
Craig is a graduate of Millsaps College. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Memphis.