A lawsuit challenging Missouri’s newly drawn House districts is being challenged in Cole County Circuit Court today, but a hearing was curtailed last minute as Judge Pat Joyce told litigants she’d make a decision based on briefs filed in the case.

The suit is being filed on behalf of six republicans and six democrats throughout the state, former lawmaker Joan Bray of St. Louis among them.

Attorney Harvey Tettlebaum filed to intervene today on behalf of three current lawmakers, all republicans.

Tettlebaum says he represents Representatives Jay Barnes of Jefferson City, Stanley Cox of Sedalia, and Don Gosen of Chesterfield.

Judge Joyce says she’ll decide on the case by Feb. 14.

Meanwhile, in a separate case challenging the constitutionality of Missouri’s Congressional district boundaries is in the court’s hands.

Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green has been ordered by the State Supreme Court to rule on that case by the end of today … we’re still waiting for that decision to to be handed down.