"H. Fuller Cridlin has served as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Lee County since January 1, 2016. Cridlin graduated from Furman University in 2007 and Stetson University College of Law in 2011, both with high honors. During the 2007-2008 school year, Cridlin served as a Spanish teacher for the Lee County Public School System.
During his tenure, Cridlin has successfully prosecuted thousands of cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to violent felonies. Of particular significance, Cridlin has prosecuted multiple cases involving sexual offenses against children that have resulted in life sentences. Cridlin has also successfully prosecuted numerous violent crimes including murder, malicious wounding, and robbery, and obtained lengthy sentences for those who endanger the community. Cridlin has also successfully prosecuted several public corruption cases including the embezzlement of funds at the Lee County Public Service Authority and embezzlement within the Lee County Public School System, and recovered over $40,000 in restitution for the taxpayers in these cases.
In narcotics cases, Cridlin’s philosophy is to target high-volume traffickers and involve prosecutors during investigative stages so that all possible sentencing enhancements are considered before the charges are placed. This strategy has led to longer sentences imposed for those convicted of large-scale distribution, including several dozen sentences to serve of 10 years or more.
For defendants in possession of small quantities of narcotics with no criminal history, Cridlin is a proponent of alternative sentencing programs such as First Offender, Recovery Court, and the Lee Works program, which provide an alternative to incarceration as well as opportunities for addiction treatment and job skills training.
In addition to his work as a prosecutor, Cridlin is active in supporting local community and charity events. In 2019, Cridlin created a scholarship in memory of his late father that is awarded each year to students at Thomas Walker and Lee High School, resulting in over $10,000 awarded to local students. Cridlin regularly volunteers his time to speak to local civic groups or work with mentoring programs. In 2017, Cridln created an internship program within his office for college students interested in pursuing a legal career. Former interns have gone on to attend graduate school at Duke University and Stanford University. In 2021, Cridlin was recognized by the Tri-Cities Business Journal as one of the "40 under 40" leaders for the Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee region.
In his free time, Cridlin can be seen at various Lee County sporting events supporting the Generals or Pioneers. Cridlin and his wife, Jalan, are avid sports fans and also enjoy hiking, traveling, and spending time with their four dogs - Jack, Molly, Finn, and Archie."