Elect Charme Allen

ur support as I seek to continue as your District Attorney. I have devoted my life to standing up for victims of crime. I have proudly served the citizens of Knox County for over 30 years in the office of the District Attorney General putting criminals behind bars. The vast majority of that time has been spent pursuing those who have murdered, r***d, exploited or harmed our children. I am passionate in my pursuit of justice. That passion is fortified each time I experience the despair of a family struggling with the victimization of their loved one. I will fight for them. It is also solidified when I feel the heartache of a family who’s loved one is beginning to turn to a life of crime. Justice means fighting hard for both families. In order to improve our criminal justice system, as District Attorney I have used my experience and passion to shape the policies and procedures that dictate how justice is administered in Knox County. My vision is to continue to keep those who choose to offend away from us by being tough on crime and to implement plans to stop others from making that irreversible decision to offend in the first place by being smart on prevention. My mantra and motto is and always will be that I am your District Attorney who is -- tough on crime and smart on prevention. I want to meet you and discuss your questions, concerns and ideas on how we continue the fight against crime in our community. I will work my hardest and smartest every day to keep our community safe. I have the experience, passion, and vision that matter, and with your support, together we can continue to make a difference in Knox County! If you have a group, meeting or club that would like to hear about my plans for our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out! FAMILY HISTORY
Charme Allen (born Angela Charme Prater) was born and raised near her family farm in Northwest Georgia. Her Grandfather Hugh Prater served as a deputy Sheriff, and then Sheriff of Gordon County, Georgia in the 1950's. Charme's passion for criminal justice began in her early formative years. As a young girl, she recalls sitting with her grandfather as he shared with her stories of bravery and justice. Those stories along with the photographs and memorabilia he'd kept from his law enforcement career became the catalyst for her lifelong calling to law and order. Being the Sheriff was a family affair for the Praters, and everyone pitched in. Her grandmother was the head cook for the inmates and doubled as a guard to keep the inmates in line when her grandfather was out on a call. As a boy, her father took calls and ran the dispatch radio routing her grandfather to his next call when he was on the road. These early years played a large part in cementing Charme's path in life. Her parents and grandparents consistently and persistently instilled within her honor, discipline, loyalty and respect for the law. EDUCATION
In high school, Charme excelled both athletically and academically. She was selected to take part in the prestigious Governors Honors Program. As an honors student, Charme proved she could balance academics and another passion -- athletics -- by lettering in five Varsity Sports. Pursuing her passion for criminal justice into secondary education, Charme received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from West Georgia College in 1987. Furthering her studies into law school, she earned honors and accolades and solidified her path by obtaining her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1990. Again, showing her ability to balance athletics and studies, while attending law school Charme was named University of Tennessee Intramural Female Athlete of the Year for 1989/1990. LEGAL CAREER
In 1989, she began a student clerkship with the Knox County District Attorney's Office under District Attorney Ed Dossett. She was hired on full-time upon graduation from law school. Her first assignment as a prosecutor was to Knoxville City Sessions Court. There she conducted hundreds of preliminary hearings on all types of cases ranging from petty crimes to aggravated felonies. In a short time Charme was promoted to a trial unit -- the S*x Offense Unit where she focused on child sexual battery and r**e cases. This assignment placed her in a lead trial attorney position, where she handled criminal cases from the investigation phase to their conclusion with a trial by jury. During this period, she sharpened her skills as a lead trial attorney, wholly responsible for putting child molesters behind bars. After having her second child in 2000, Charme undertook an assignment as a specialized DUI prosecutor. She handled Driving Under the Influence cases and repeat habitual motor vehicle offender cases. She literally prosecuted thousands of drunk and drugged driver cases during this period of her career. That experience instilled within her a grave concern for the adverse effect addiction and drug use has on families, victims, defendants, and society as a whole. But it also instilled within her the belief that adversity can be overcome. She saw firsthand how the criminal justice system can change people's behavior. As the District Attorney's office grew, Charme's career moved her back to the cases that tugged at her heart the most...crimes against children. In 2007, a special Child Abuse Unit was created, and Charme was subsequently named the Unit Chief. As Chief, she has overseen the investigation and prosecution of thousands of child abuse cases. Those cases include Internet sexual exploitation of minors, r**e and homicide cases. As an Assistant District Attorney, Charme is a member of the Child Protective Investigative Team. This team convenes weekly to review allegations of child physical and sexual abuse occurring in Knox County. In 2012 alone, the Child Protective Investigative Team reviewed over one thousand cases of physical and sexual abuse of children. In her capacity as a Unit Chief, Charme honed both her legal and managerial skills over her last five years as an assistant. Her legal duties required expertise in every step of the criminal process from the initial investigation to conclusion of the case by jury trial. She was responsible for making charging decisions, drafting indictments, grand jury presentation and motion practice. As Unit Chief, Charme she was also experienced in the management and supervision of the trial attorneys and support staff assigned to the unit. Charme enjoys a strong collaborative working relationship with the Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff's Office. Being on call around the clock for both agencies allow her to be involved in case decisions from the very beginning. As a result of her work, she was selected by her peers in the Knoxville Bar as a Cityview Top Attorney year after year. In 2014, Charme sought and won election as your District Attorney General. It was her campaign promise that her achievements as District Attorney General would be documented in social media and on her office website at each and every turn. She has kept that promise over the last eight years as your District Attorney General. Every significant event in her term has been documented and is contained within the social media platforms and website dedicated to her office’s progress. From her fight against elder abuse to her fight against violent crime, public corruption and her fight against the opioid epidemic, it is all there. Her record is absolutely crystal clear that she has championed all these efforts and will continue to be a leading voice in this community to keep the system fair and the public informed. She invites you to please take some time to review her record, and see for yourself. On that review, you will no doubt know that she cares deeply about the safety of our community, and that she is the right person for this effort. PERSONAL
Charme is the proud mother in a blended family with her husband Kevin, along with four children, three of whom are still in college (two of which are in law school). In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, gardening and tackling home improvement projects. She is a past member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden where she has served in many capacities. These include Sunday School Director, Royal Ambassador Director, Director of Missions Day and service on several committees including Preschool Weekday, Missions and Long Range Planning. Her efforts in mission work have helped not only numerous local charities but also those in the Gulf Coast Region that were effected by hurricane Katrina. She was able to organize and operate a donations "store" for those who were displaced here during the aftermath of Katrina. She had such wonderful support from the community that she was able to personally deliver three trucks of excess supplies to the coast after the needs of the evacuees dissipated here. She presently attends Fellowship Church in Knoxville with her husband. Charme has a framed poster depicting a young boy clutching his dog that has hung in her office prominently for years. The poster reads "Isn't it about time someone read him HIS rights". It serves as a constant reminder to her of why she does what she does, and where her priorities lie. Seeking justice, standing up for those who can't, and performing with fidelity the duties of the office of the District Attorney General is what she's always done, and what she'll always do.