Judge Robbie Beal was elected in 2006 as Circuit Court Judge for the 21st Judicial District that includes Williamson, Hickman, Lewis and Perry counties. A Circuit Court judge is the trial level court responsible for trying all types of criminal cases; mostly felonies. This court also hears and renders decisions on divorce and post-divorce matters, contract disputes, probate issues, personal injury cases, and orders of protection. It is also responsible for hearing appeals from the juvenile court and general sessions court. Judge Beal was one of three of the youngest Circuit Court judges elected in the state. As judge, he presided over hundreds of criminal, domestic, and civil cases. A sampling of the cases appealed from his court are available to view here. Prior to his election to Circuit Court, he was the Williamson County Juvenile Court Referee/Magistrate. He served in this capacity for 7 years. A Juvenile Magistrate hears all types of Juvenile matters in the same manner as a judge. Judge Beal ruled on hundreds of custody disputes, child support matters, and juvenile criminal (delinquent and unruly charges) matters. This is Judge Beal's second time to practice law with Ernie Williams. Then, as now, he was engaged in the general practice of law concentrating on all types of litigation. Prior to entering private practice the first time, Judge Beal was an Assistant District Attorney and was named the primary drug prosecutor for the judicial district. He tried dozens of cases involving drug offenses, DUI's, aggravated assault, burglaries, sex offenses, and murder. Judge Beal's first job out of law school was with the Public Defender's Office in the 23rd Judicial District which includes Dickson, Cheatham, Humphreys, Houston, and Stewart counties. Again, he had the opportunity to try over 100 criminal jury trials. This includes four murder trials to a successful outcome. He was elected president of the Dickson County Bar Association. Judge Beal graduated from Belmont University in 1987 in three years and Memphis State University Law School in 1991. He is married with one son. His wife and he were approved foster parents up until his appointment to Juvenile Court. Judge Beal was the first in his family to graduate college and is the grandson of a coal miner from Kentucky.