NASHVILLE (AP) — Criminal Court Judge James C. Beasley Jr. has been elected president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference.

Beasley has served as criminal court judge in the 30th Judicial District, which serves Shelby County, since 1995. Before taking the bench, he was assistant district attorney general for 17 years.

He replaces Chancellor Skip Frierson.

The conference includes all state appellate and trial court judges and provides them with continuing judicial education. It also has a foundation that gives scholarships to outstanding law school students.