CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Steve Powers, currently serving as Assistant District Attorney General in the 23rd Judicial District (Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart Counties) has announced his candidacy for District Attorney General of Montgomery and Robertson Counties, the 19th Judicial District.
Powers, a Republican, is a native of Clarksville and has dedicated his life to community service. Starting at a young age, he began as an Emergency Medical Technician for many years, served a short time as a 911 dispatcher, and then settled in as a law enforcement officer in Cheatham County for 10 years. During that time, Powers held multiple titles, including Sergeant, D.A.R.E. Officer, and firearms instructor. While serving as a full-time law enforcement officer with a family of five, Powers worked hard to complete his bachelor’s degree in Business at Austin Peay State University in 1996.
In the fall of that same year, he attended the Nashville School of Law to earn his law degree in the year 2000. Upon leaving law enforcement in 2000, Powers opened a private law practice in Ashland City and simultaneously worked part-time as an Assistant Public Defender. After closing his private practice and working as a full-time Assistant Public Defender in the 23rd Judicial District for approximately a year, Powers accepted the position of Assistant District Attorney General for the 23rd Judicial District in 2006 and has served in that capacity since.
Powers is a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Frank Jordan Memorial Lodge #81.
Rapid population growth in Montgomery and Robertson Counties has brought along with it an increase illegal drug use and major crimes, Power said.
“Law enforcement works very hard to remove these elements from our neighborhoods. Under my leadership as District Attorney General, using my years of experience as a law enforcement officer, private attorney, public defender and prosecuting attorney, I will work diligently to ensure each case presented before the courts is zealously prosecuted,” Powers said.
“Cases will not be pled to a lesser charge simply because of the present voluminous case load handled by the DA’s office. I will make every available effort to obtain the necessary resources and manpower the DA’s office requires to prosecute each case based on its merit. I believe that if we were to consistently mete out tough sentences, not only will it reduce major crime, but in turn, at the very least, keep offenders off the streets of our community for longer periods of time.
“I will use my understanding of the criminal defense perspective to attempt to make the punishment fit the crime fairly and aid defendants with obtaining the assistance and treatment they need to prevent them from becoming a repeat offender and/or overcome their drug addiction. Lastly, drug addiction is devasting our community in more ways than just criminal activity. I have seen firsthand, from several perspectives, the devastation drug addiction has on the abuser, the abuser’s family and community. The justice system alone cannot remedy the drug abuse problem in our community. I believe that it takes the whole ‘village’ working together to reach the true source of the underlying drug problem. As an influential community leader, I will strive to become a major part of the proactive solution rather than simply part of the reaction after the fact.”
Information provided by Steve Powers campaign.