SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson marked the 100th judicial appointment of his administration with the appointment of Judge Renee Hardin-Tammons to the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District.  Judge Renee Hardin-Tammons, of Olivette, currently serves as a Circuit … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON MAKES 100TH JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT WITH APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE RENEE HARDIN-TAMMONS TO MISSOURI COURT OF APPEALS EASTERN DISTRICT

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 JEFFERSON CITY — Today, Governor Mike Parson announced five judicial appointments to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District and the 4th, 7th, 23rd, and 31st Judicial Circuits. The Honorable Becky Borthwick, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals, … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON MAKES FIVE JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

DWI Unwritten Waiver of Counsel Presumed No Good  In a criminal action, a waiver of counsel is possible after an evidentiary hearing and a proffer of the written form for defendant’s signature. Neither occurred. A pro se defendant need not preserve a constitutional objection to their own waiver of … [Read more...] about Case summaries for Sept. 2 – Sept. 8, 2022

United States District Court - Eastern Missouri Selects Rodney H. Holmes and Hon. Joseph S. Dueker as New Magistrate Judges Thursday, September 1, 2022 Chief Judge Rodney W. Sippel announced today that the District Judges for the United States District Court have selected Mr. … [Read more...] about United States District Court – Eastern Missouri Selects Rodney H. Holmes and Hon. Joseph S. Dueker as New Magistrate Judges

Criminal Appellate Review of Self-Defense Explained    Statutes provide that “[d]eadly force is only justifiable when the defendant reasonably believes that such deadly force is necessary to protect himself [or herself] from death, serious physical injury, or any forcible felony.” When defendant … [Read more...] about Case summaries for July 1 – July 7, 2022

Criminal Rationale Required for Denial of Probation After 120-Day Program Statute allowed diversion of relator to a 120-day program. When relator successfully completed the program, statutes required the circuit court to order probation, unless the circuit court determined that probation would be … [Read more...] about Case summaries for June 10 – June 16, 2022

Criminal Felon in Possession Conviction Affirmed      Evidence that a firearm was an inch away from driver supported an inference that driver knew the firearm was there, and knew what it was, supporting a finding that felon driver possessed the firearm.” [I]nferences contrary to the trial court's … [Read more...] about Case summaries for June 3 – June 9, 2022

Criminal Inevitable Discovery Doctrine Applied  Warrantless searches are per se unreasonable unless the State shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, the application of an exception. Exceptions include the inevitable discovery doctrine, under which evidence from an unlawful search is … [Read more...] about Case summaries for May 27 – June 2, 2022

ST LOUIS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT NEWS Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed Megan Julian as Associate Circuit Judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit. She will fill the Associate Circuit Judge vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Heather Cunningham as Circuit Judge. Ms. Julian, of Des … [Read more...] about GOVERNOR PARSON APPOINTS MEGAN JULIAN AS ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR 21ST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

DWI Time to Consult Counsel Starts with Reading of Implied Consent Law  Statutes require reading of the implied consent law, and 20 minutes for driver to consult a lawyer on request, before driver must either take or refuse a chemical test. The purpose is a choice informed by the consequences for … [Read more...] about Case summaries for April 22 – April 28, 2022