Most judges in Missouri belong to either the Democratic or Republican parties, except in court districts that are part of the state’s non-partisan court plan. Instead of being directly elected and re-elected, those judges are appointed and every few years voters decide whether to leave them in office.
The Missouri Judicial Performance Review Committee conducts surveys on each judge that’s scheduled for a retention vote. Kansas City-based attorney Larry Tucker chairs that committee.
“One of the things we asked them to do in filling out these surveys is to tell us how many times they’ve appeared in front of this particular judge, and also to tell us what the outcome of the cases were,” Tucker told Missourinet. “Then they fill out these surveys and rate the judges on a scale between one to five.”
Tucker said all judges surveyed this year meet the standards required to be retained by voters.
“When you look at the trial court survey, for instance, you’ll see things like rating the judge on whether the judge was prepared for court, whether the judge treated the parties equally, whether the judge started the court proceedings on time, or acted in an impartial manner. Things of that nature,” he said.
Among the judges up for retention votes on November 5th are two Missouri Supreme Court judges and 10 Appeals court judges. They also include numerous circuit court and associate circuit court judges in St. Louis city and in Clay, Greene, Jackson, Platte, and St. Louis counties. You can find out more by clicking here.
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