The Missouri legislature is considering several proposals that would put politics and money at the core of our court system by changing the way Non-Partisan judges are selected. It is vital that legislators hear from concerned citizens who want to keep politics out of the courts.
Courts throughout the United States have the critical role of protecting our rights by interpreting and applying laws fairly and impartially. To do this, politics and the influence of money must be kept out of our courts.
For nearly three-quarters of a century, Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan has helped protect the integrity of our courts by attracting high quality judges who render justice fairly and free from the influences of politics and money. The Missouri Bar is proud of its long history of support for this plan, which has become a model for the nation.
We invite you to join The Missouri Bar as we advocate on behalf of Missouri’s court system. Here you’ll find useful talking points and speech outlines to help you speak to legislators, colleagues and civic groups about keeping politics and money out of our courts. We welcome your participation in this vital effort.
Questions? Contact us.
May 10, 2012 -- The Missouri Bar President Comments on Legislature’s Approval of Resolution that Would Politicize Missouri’s Non-Partisan Court Plan
May 1, 2012 -- Recorded Vote of Missouri Senators on Passage of SJR51
April 30, 2012 -- Columbia Daily Tribune Editorial: Judicial selection - Trying to undo the Missouri Plan
April 30, 2012 -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial: Least offensive plan to ruin judge selection still a bad idea
April 29, 2012 -- Kansas City Star, Editorial: Keep politics out of Missouri judiciary
April 28, 2012 -- Joplin Globe Bruce Secrist, guest columnist: It’s not perfect, but Missouri Plan makes sense
April 26, 2012 – Springfield News-Leader, Local Columnist: Campaign would politicize picking judges in Missouri
April 26, 2012 - For Immediate Release: The Missouri Bar President Comments on Senate’s First Round Approval of Resolution that Puts Political Appointees at Helm of Court Plan
April 20, 2012 – St. Joseph News- Press, article: Judicial selection method at risk, Missouri Bar president warns
April 19, 2012 - For Immediate Release: The Missouri Bar President Comments on Resolution That Puts Political Appointees at Helm of Court Plan
April 11, 2012 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Guest commentary: Protect Missouri's judicial selection process by Lynn Whaley Vogel, Missouri Bar President
April 10, 2012 – Joplin Globe, Our View: Keep Politics Out of Court Plan
March 22, 2012 - For Immediate Release: Missouri Bar President Comments on Resolution Aimed at Letting Politicians Hand-Pick Judges
March 18, 2012 - Columbia Daily Tribune, Guest Commentary: Spring Brings Judicial Politics by Skip Walther, Former Missouri Bar President
March 20, 2012 – Columbia Daily Tribune, Guest Commentary: Judge Plan Not Broken in Missouri by Lynn Whaley Vogel, Missouri Bar President
March 16, 2012 – Kansas City Star, Editorial: Capitol Watch Missouri Bench Press
July 1, 2011 -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial: Grownups — Missouri Supreme Court Continues Nonpartisan Tradition
May 20, 2011 -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial: Open Interviews Enhance Missouri Plan for Choosing Judges
It has never been more important that the public understand how Missouri's court system works and why the third branch of government must remain a co-equal branch -- and not weakened or politicized. Lawyers are in a unique position to educate the public and build support for our state courts.
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Background
Accompanying Chart
Missouri's Gift to the Art of Government––the Non-Partisan Court Plan by Professor Rick Hardy, University of Missouri-Columbia Political Science Department
How to Advocate Effectively at the State and Community Level by Joe Moseley, former state senator
The ABA Standing Committee on Judicial Independence has developed a number of resources to help lawyers explain the importance of fair and impartial courts. From sample op-ed pieces to message platforms and sample speeches, its resources can be easily adapted for use in communities throughout the nation. Click here for ABA resources.
Non-Partisan Court Plan Message Map
A Message Map is a communications tool that can be used to create talking points or speeches. It can also help you prepare for interviews on a topic.
Additional Talking Points on the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan
From the Report by the Commission on Judicial Independence
Click here to download the brochure
Most lawyers have heard of Missouri's Non-Partisan Court Plan and understand how it works and why it's a vital part of our state government. But outside the legal community, few people realize that the Plan has become a model for the nation.
This downloadable PowerPoint presentation was prepared for lawyers interested in speaking to the public about the Plan.
Click here to download.
Click here to download the 2011-2012 tv spot (wmv)