District Attorney General: Charme P. Allen

Charme P. Allen is a veteran prosecutor with more than 30 years of experience with the Office of the Knox County District Attorney General. In 2014, General Allen was elected as the District Attorney General of the 6th Judicial District, and she is honored with the distinction of being the first female elected to this position in the history of Knox County. General Allen was re-elected in 2022 and considers it an honor to serve the citizens of Knox County for a second 8-year term.

Following in the footsteps of her law enforcement family from Georgia, General Allen earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from West Georgia College in 1987 and her Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1990. Soon thereafter she became a full-time Assistant District Attorney General, pursuing her passion of seeking justice and helping victims of crimes, with a special emphasis on child abuse prosecution for the majority of her career.

General Allen relies upon her lifelong experience with law enforcement to pursue a multi-dimensional approach to prosecution. Her model for successful prosecution not only involves enforcing the law and seeking punishment for crime, but it also requires a dedication to the prevention of crime at its source in our community. Since taking office, General Allen has implemented many new policies and procedures, and has created teams of special prosecution units as well as a Community Affairs Unit in order to achieve her goal of being “Tough on Crime, Smart on Prevention.”

While overseeing a staff of more than 80 professionals, General Allen’s role as the county’s top law enforcement officer has given her the opportunity to address criminal justice issues on a larger scale. Much of her time as D.A. is gladly devoted to working in the community, discussing and addressing a wide variety of topics related to the justice system and public safety. She is, also, pleased to be active on the boards of numerous local agencies and organizations.

Current Positions & Memberships

  • City of Knoxville Violence Reduction Leadership Team
  • Courthouse Security Committee, Vice Chair
  • Drug Related Death Task Force, Member
  • Emerald Youth Foundation’s Imagine a City Council, Member
  • Executive Women’s Association, Member
  • Family Justice Center, Executive Committee, Member
  • Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Member
  • Knox County Courthouse Security Committee, Vice Chair
  • Knox County Mayor’s Criminal Justice Committee, Member
  • Knox County Mayor’s Mental Health Committee, Member
  • Knox County Prescription Drug Task Force, Member
  • Knoxville Bar Association, Member
  • Knoxville Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Metro Drug Coalition, Executive Committee, Member
  • National District Attorneys Association, Member
  • Pellissippi State Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association, Member
  • Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, Executive Committee, Family Justice Committee Chair, Finance/Audit Committee, Homicide Committee, Legislative Committee, Opioid/Heroin Committee, Public Education and Social Media Committee
  • Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, Member

Previous Positions & Memberships

  • Knox County Child Protective Investigative Team, Member (2011-2014)
  • Knox County Child Death Review Team, Member (2011-2014)
  • East TN Commission on Children and Youth, Member (2011-2014)
  • HonorAir, Escort (2015)
  • Knoxville Bar Association, Open Service Committee (2016-2017)
  • Boys & Girls Club of the TN Valley, Board Member (2016-2017)
  • Knoxville Bar Association, Board of Governors (2018)
  • Disparities in Education and Outcomes Task Force and Steering Committee, Member (2014-2021)
  • All4Knox Justice Sector Lead (2019-2021)

Awards, Honors & Special Recognitions

  • Cityview Top Attorney Award (Awarded Multiple Years)
  • 2016 The Salvation Army Cup of Hope Award
  • 2017 Leadership Knoxville
  • 2017 Junior League Women’s Empowerment Award
  • 2017 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Nu Zeta Chapter Woman to Woman Award
  • 2017 YWCA Tribute to Women Finalist
  • 2018 Girls Inc. of Knoxville “Bold” Elite Award
  • 2019 Patriotic Award (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve – ESGR)
  • 2021 Childhelp Leadership Award
  • 2022 MDC John W. Gill Jr. Substance Misuse Prevention Award
  • 2023 Knoxville Association of Women Executives Notable Woman Award