Issues
The Missouri Plan
During the 1930s, the Missouri public became increasingly dissatisfied with the increasing role of politics in judicial selection and judicial decision-making. Judges were plagued by outside influences due to the political aspects of the election process, and dockets were congested due to time the judges spent campaigning.Then, in November 1940, voters amended the Missouri constitution by adopting the "Non-Partisan Selection of Judges Court Plan," which was placed on the ballot by initiative petition. The adoption of the plan by initiative referendum resulted from a public backlash against the widespread abuses of the judicial system by the "Boss Tom" Pendergast political machine in Kansas City, and by the political control exhibited by ward bosses in St. Louis.
The Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan, commonly called the Missouri Plan, has since served as a national model for the selection of judges, and has been adopted by more than 30 other states.
Juror Pay in Missouri
Missouri provides the lowest pay in the country to those individuals participating on a jury. This makes it incredibly hard for Missourians to participate as juror and has a negative impact of the determinations delivered by Missouri jury’s. The Missouri Law Institute believes that increased funding to jurors could improve the jury pool and enhance our court system. Read the following report for more information.Scope of the Non-Partisan Court Plan
The non-Partisan plan provides for the selection of judges based on merit rather than on political affiliation. Initially, the non-partisan plan applied to judges of the Supreme Court; the court of appeals; the circuit, criminal corrections and probate courts of St. Louis city; and the circuit and probate courts of Jackson County. In 1970, voters extended the non-partisan plan to judges in St. Louis County, and three years later, voters extended the non-partisan plan to judges in Clay and Platte counties. These changes are reflected in the Missouri Constitution, as amended in 1976.The Kansas City Charter extends the non-partisan selection plan to Kansas City municipal court judges as well. Under the constitution, other judicial circuits may adopt the plan upon approval by a majority of voters in the circuit.
Scope of the Non-Partisan Court Plan
The non-Partisan plan provides for the selection of judges based on merit rather than on political affiliation. Initially, the non-partisan plan applied to judges of the Supreme Court; the court of appeals; the circuit, criminal corrections and probate courts of St. Louis city; and the circuit and probate courts of Jackson County. In 1970, voters extended the non-partisan plan to judges in St. Louis County, and three years later, voters extended the non-partisan plan to judges in Clay and Platte counties. These changes are reflected in the Missouri Constitution, as amended in 1976.The Kansas City Charter extends the non-partisan selection plan to Kansas City municipal court judges as well. Under the constitution, other judicial circuits may adopt the plan upon approval by a majority of voters in the circuit.