FENTON, Mo. – On Tuesday, judges from Missouri’s 21st Circuit Court joined the St. Louis area League of Women Voters in hosting a forum giving the public a chance to meet several judges at the St. Louis County’s Meramec Valley Library.
A spokesperson for the St. Louis County Courts said ethics rules prohibit judges from discussing specific cases, but voters were able to submit questions. Judges also shared how long they’ve served as a judge and what type of cases they preside over.
Earlier in the day, some voters entering the St. Louis County Board of Elections wished they had more information about the judges on the ballot.
“I skip them,” said Carol Kipper, a St. Louis County voter. “I mean, I can’t make an informed decision.”
Information about judges in Missouri, from a non-partisan independent committee from the Missouri Bar is available on FOX2Now.com and at YourMissouriJudges.org.
The critiques are known as the Missouri Judicial Performance Review. Feedback from attorneys who have appeared before the judges, writing samples from the judges, and feedback from jurors help lead to recommendations for or against a judge being retained.
“The average voter, if they want to, can dive deeper into seeing where that rating comes from,” said John O’Sullivan, St. Louis County Courts communications director.
For this election cycle, the committee recommends all St. Louis County judges from Missouri’s 21st Circuit Court be retained.