Editor’s note: In keeping with our theme of social media this year, we asked each of “the 20” to submit personally curated photographs and answer questions that offer a sneak peek into their private, as well as professional, life. We also had them choose a location for their lead photo shoot that ties into who they are.
THE HONORABLE JUSTIN C. ANGEL
Circuit Court Judge, TN-12th, III, Criminal and Civil Trial Jurisdiction; Tennessee Trial Judges Executive Committee member; Tennessee Courtroom Security Committee member; 12th Judicial District Bar Association president; featured on various podcasts (“Criminal” episode 133, “The Crime Story” episode 30)
Age: 39
Photo Gallery
Chef's Ball
Area chefs gathered Feb. 26 for a glamorous annual awards ceremony at the Campus Center Grand Hall at Pulaski Technical College.
* Facebook or Instagram?
Instagram.
* What would your personal hashtag be?
#iwillbethejudgeofthat
* Most-used emoji?
The face-palm emoji.
* What would you list as your top 3 likes? And, dislikes?
Likes: Baseball, being outdoors, tactical shooting. Dislikes: Poor manners, Interstate 75/24 split, soccer.
* How old were you when you got your first cellphone?
16, when I started driving.
* Piece of tech you couldn’t live without (or wouldn’t want to)?
My iPhone, specifically the e-signature app. That app allows me to sign warrants and documents for court at any hour from anywhere in the world.
* Social media – love it or hate it?
Love it. It helps keep me connected with friends and family all over the country.
* What was your last post (about)?
My son’s three-run home run in his championship game for the 8-year-old Signal Mountain Baseball League.
* What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is getting elected as a Circuit Court judge in a six-county district at age 32.
* What is the biggest challenge or hardship you have overcome?
I came from a small town, and I was the first person in my family to go to college. At times I felt like big dreams and goals were unattainable, but through hard work and perseverance I was able to graduate from college and law school. I hope to be an example for young people throughout the Chattanooga area and surrounding rural counties that there is no dream too big to achieve.
* What kind of influencer would you be?
I would be a rad dad influencer or a personal defense and safety influencer.
* Any goals for this year?
I want to pilot a recovery-court docket in my judicial district. The goal is to further help those non-violent individuals seeking recovery or battling addiction, through treatment instead of incarceration.
* What’s one thing you would change about Chattanooga and why?
Because part of what makes Chattanooga so beautiful is the Tennessee River, I wish Chattanooga could clean up and utilize beautiful portions of the riverfront that are currently occupied by abandoned facilities, so more people could enjoy the river. Also, a Chick-fil-A on Signal Mountain Boulevard.
* Why did you choose this location for your shoot?
I chose a courthouse because it is the symbol of justice. No other location personifies my life’s dedication and passion, which is the law.
* Tell me about one of your favorite memories.
The night I won my election is one of my favorite memories because after a year of difficult campaigning, our hard work came to fruition. The election results came back late in the evening, and I was surrounded by my family and supporters when we learned I had won the election. It was truly a special moment.