Joe Brown (judge) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judge Joe Brown
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| Born |
Joseph Blakeney Brown Jr.
July 5, 1947 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Other names | Judge Joe Brown |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (BA, JD) |
| Spouse(s) |
Deborah Herron
(m. 2001; div. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
Joseph Blakeney Brown Jr. (born July 5, 1947), known as Judge Joe Brown, is an American lawyer and TV personality. He was a judge in Shelby County, Tennessee. He also had his own popular TV show called Judge Joe Brown, where he helped people solve their problems.
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Early Life and Learning
Joe Brown grew up in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles. He was a very good student and graduated from Dorsey High School. He went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. He then got his law degree from the UCLA School of Law. While studying law, he also worked as a substitute teacher.
His Career Journey
After finishing law school, Joe Brown moved to Memphis, Tennessee. He started working as a lawyer, helping people who needed legal help. He also worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This group helps make sure everyone has a fair chance at jobs.
By 1978, Joe Brown became the first African-American prosecutor in Memphis. A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. They try to prove that someone has broken the law. Later, he led the public defender's office in Memphis. Public defenders are lawyers who help people who cannot afford their own legal representation.
After that, he opened his own law office. In 1990, he was elected as a judge for the State Criminal Court in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Becoming a TV Judge
Judge Brown became well-known when he was involved in a famous case. This case was about the appeal of James Earl Ray, who was convicted for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.. During this time, the people who made the TV show Judge Judy noticed him.
This led to him getting his own TV show, Judge Joe Brown. On his show, he acted as an arbiter. This means he helped people settle their disagreements outside of a regular court. The show was very popular and ran for many years.
Later Life and Public Service
In March 2014, Judge Brown ran for a political position in Shelby County. He won the Democratic primary election for district attorney.
In August 2015, Judge Brown spent five days in jail. This happened because a judge said he showed disrespect in court during a case. He was representing a woman who needed child support. Judge Brown felt the punishment was too harsh.
Later, he had some health issues, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Because of this, he could not practice law for a while.
In 2023, Judge Brown ran for mayor of Memphis as an independent candidate. He finished seventh in the election.
Personal Life
Joe Brown has been married twice. He has two sons from his first marriage.
