RON NEWCOMB'S CROOKED JUSTICE: Questions About “Stipulation of Probable Cause”
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
What happens when someone believes they were falsely arrested or maliciously prosecuted — and the prosecutor realizes the criminal case cannot be won?
The No For Newcomb campaign is raising questions about a prosecutorial practice it attributes to Ron Newcomb, an applicant seeking appointment as District Attorney General for Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District.
The practice involves what has been described as a “stipulation of probable cause.”
For residents of Sevier, Cocke, Grainger, and Jefferson Counties, the campaign believes this issue deserves closer examination before Governor Bill Lee selects the district's next chief prosecutor.
What Is a “Stipulation of Probable Cause”?
Probable cause can become an important issue in civil litigation arising from an arrest or criminal prosecution.
The No For Newcomb campaign alleges that when Ron Newcomb faced criminal cases that could not be successfully prosecuted, defendants were offered dismissal of their criminal charges in exchange for agreeing to “stipulate to probable cause.”
Under such an agreement, a defendant acknowledges that sufficient probable cause existed for the arrest or prosecution.
Why does that matter?
The existence of probable cause can significantly affect certain subsequent civil claims arising from an arrest or prosecution. The campaign contends that obtaining such a stipulation can therefore make it substantially more difficult for a defendant to later pursue claims related to an allegedly wrongful arrest or malicious prosecution.
The Questions East Tennessee Should Be Asking
The No For Newcomb campaign believes the public should ask whether agreements of this kind were used and, if so, why.
Was dismissal of a criminal prosecution conditioned upon a defendant agreeing that probable cause existed?
What circumstances surrounded those agreements?
Were defendants represented by attorneys when they agreed?
What do the actual dismissal documents and court records show?
And were such agreements being used solely to resolve criminal cases, or did they also have the effect of protecting government officials or agencies from subsequent civil litigation?
These are questions that should be answered by examining the actual court records and case documents.
Why This Matters for the District Attorney Appointment
Ron Newcomb is seeking appointment as the next District Attorney General for Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District, which serves:
Sevier County • Cocke County • Grainger County • Jefferson County
The District Attorney General exercises significant authority over criminal prosecutions. With that authority comes a responsibility to pursue justice fairly, protect constitutional rights, exercise sound prosecutorial discretion, and maintain public confidence.
The No For Newcomb campaign believes allegations concerning Newcomb's prosecutorial practices deserve careful scrutiny before he is entrusted with even greater authority.
These allegations should not automatically be treated as established judicial findings or criminal convictions. Residents should review the underlying agreements, court records, legal filings, and other available documentation when determining what they believe occurred.
East Tennessee Deserves Transparency
A prosecutor's responsibility should extend beyond simply obtaining convictions.
The criminal justice system depends upon prosecutors exercising their authority fairly and ethically — including recognizing when evidence does not support continuing a prosecution.
If a case should be dismissed, the public has a legitimate interest in understanding the circumstances surrounding that dismissal and any conditions imposed upon the defendant.
Transparency matters. Accountability matters. Constitutional rights matter.
And when someone is seeking appointment as the district's chief prosecutor, their record matters.
Governor Bill Lee Will Make the Decision
Governor Bill Lee is considering applicants to replace outgoing District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn.
Ron Newcomb wants the job.
The No For Newcomb campaign believes the Fourth Judicial District needs new leadership committed to integrity, transparency, accountability, and public trust.
If you agree, make your voice heard before Governor Lee makes his decision.
TELL GOVERNOR LEE: NO FOR NEWCOMB!
📞 Call Governor Bill Lee: (615) 741-2001
🌐 Share Your Opinion With Governor Lee:https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us/share-opinion.html
📂 Learn More About Ron Newcomb & Review Public Records:https://NoForNewcomb.com
Visit the “Public Records” section to examine available court records and other documents related to the allegations raised by the campaign.
Read the records. Ask questions. Reach your own conclusions.
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