Nashville DA’s Office attends Domestic Violence Conference in NYC
Several prosecutors from the Nashville District Attorney’s Office attended the 6th National APA Domestic Violence Prosecution Conference, held in Brooklyn, New York earlier this spring. The conference, held March 11th through the 14th, focused on Excellence in Domestic Violence Investigation, Prosecution, and Partnerships. The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys hosted the event, which included sessions on skills development for new prosecutors, effective staff management, collaborative techniques with partner agencies, and even self-care for those in the criminal justice field.
Members of the Nashville team that attended the three-day workshop included Domestic Violence Team Leader Christina Johnson, along with Assistant District Attorneys Will Ballinger, Alayna Buescher, John Churchwell, Mia Guitierrez, Trevor Gupton, Jeffrey Walker, Rebecca Valiquette, and Erin Snelling. Our DV team learned a great deal from the presentations and seminars while also gaining valuable insight into various techniques used in other parts of the country to secure successful prosecutions and provide greater support for victims of domestic violence.
Many thanks to the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys for offering this workshop and hosting such a wonderful experience for our staff.
Two New Assistant District Attorneys
The Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney’s Office welcomed Kyontha Nelson and Jana Goolsby as our newest Assistant District Attorneys.
General Nelson graduated from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. She served as Assistant City Attorney in Aurora, Colorado before becoming the Deputy District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District in Colorado. After relocating to Nashville, General Nelson worked as Assistant Attorney General for the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General.
General Goolsby is a graduate of Belmont College of Law and knows the Nashville District Attorney’s Office very well, having served as an intern for more than a year in both the Domestic Violence and Criminal Court Divisions. Upon graduation, she worked as Staff Attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Middle TN and the Cumberlands.
Crime Victim’s Rights Week – April 6th-12th, 2025
The Nashville District Attorney’s office is committed to not only keeping our city safe but also assisting victims who are impacted by violence. Each April, Nashville honors crime victims and their families with exhibits, memorials, and gatherings like the Crime Victim’s Rights Week Ceremony.
During this year’s annual ceremony, held April 6th, Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake, Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and other leaders highlighted the many resources available to assist Nashvillians impacted by crime. In addition, survivors and families of the victims joined the Victim Witness Coordinators from the Nashville District Attorney’s office as they tied ribbons together, honoring and remembering lives lost to violence, showing victims that they are not alone. This year’s ceremony was held at the Metro Police Department’s Midtown Hills Precinct, with Nashville District Attorney Director of Communications, Steve Hayslip, serving as moderator. We sincerely appreciate the brave survivors and relatives of victims who were willing to share their stories.
The video clip below is from the 2024 Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony. We appreciate WKRN for their media coverage.
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/nashville-leaders-crime-victims-offer-hope-to-others/
2024 Nashville Safe Surrender Proves to be Another Success
The Nashville Safe Surrender event on December 6th and 7th, 2024, proved to be a huge success, with some 420 participants being processed during the two day event at Galilee Baptist Church. They came to clear outstanding, non-violent warrants or seek assistance on criminal matters that may be on their records. In Davidson County, there were more 30-thousand outstanding warrants when Safe Surrender began as an annual event in 2021, most of them for non-violent offenses or court fees that were never paid. In an effort to clear these warrants and give participants a fresh start, The Nashville District Attorney’s office, along with Metro Police, The Davidson County Sheriff’s office, the Public Defender’s office, the court system, and local pastors teamed up for this massive two day event held at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Many of the charges were able to be dismissed, while others were given favorable consideration by Judges and court personnel on site. In addition, Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk and his staff, along with the Public Defender’s office are reviewing outstanding warrants of those that could not attend to see if those warrants may also be dismissed.
Nashville Safe Surrender 2024 continues to draw big numbers and change lives since it began as an annual event in 2021.
Nashville hosted a two-day Safe Surrender event at Galilee Church in December, 2023, which saw a total of 156 persons visit. Thirty-four received special consideration to begin resolving their outstanding criminal charges. All were able to go home the same day. Additionally, 275 expungements were processed over the two days.
In December 2022’s Safe Surrender event, a total of 56 persons received special consideration to begin resolving their outstanding criminal charges. Those 56 persons were named in a total of 76 outstanding warrants. Nearly all were able to go home the same day.
In December 2021’s Safe Surrender event, 67 persons who were named in a total of 88 outstanding warrants came to Galilee Church. Nearly all of them were able to handle their issues and head home.
Nashville Safe Surrender is now considered to be a model for the nation, drawing local and national media coverage, as well serving as a guide for other cities to launch similar initiatives.
Season to Remember 2024
The Annual Davidson County “Season To Remember” ceremony was held on December 12th, 2024 at Centennial Park. The Season to Remember ceremony honors victims of homicide and gives meaningful support to their families during the holiday season. Several speakers including District Attorney General Glenn Funk were on hand to offer words of support and encouragement. It’s always an emotional time for families to reflect on loved ones lost to violence, but also an important opportunity to come together as a group and gain support from one another.
Just as in years past, families hung hand made ornaments on a beautiful blue-lit Christmas tree as the names of their loved ones were read aloud. Victim Witness Coordinators from the Nashville District Attorney’s Office were on hand to assist families. At least 200 people were in attendance for the Season To Remember ceremony, and many more are expected to visit the tree during the holiday season.
In the Covid year of 2020, Season To Remember was a virtual event. It featured a video produced by the Nashville District Attorney’s Office, introducing viewers to some of the families that take part in the Season To Remember each year to remember their loved ones lost to violence. To view the 2020 Season to Remember virtual ceremony click here