Radio Ad 2
Posted: 4/10/2008
Please click to listen to the second of our latest radio ads. These ads will be running across Missouri. This ad highlights the way secrecy and political corruption have made it impossible for a single African American to get elected to the commission that nominates our highest court judges.
Radio Ad 1
Posted: 4/10/2008
Please click to listen to the first of our latest radio ads. These ads will be running all across Missouri, highlighting the secrecy and political patronage that has corrupted the Missouri Plan for selecting judges.
Better Courts Urges Bar Members to Seek Refund of Dues -- Donate Refund to Public Defenders and Legal Services for the Poor
Posted: 2/28/2008
Better Courts for Missouri wants lawyers around the state to seek their money back from The Missouri Bar if they disagree with its decision to spend money on political campaigns and trips to the Bahamas. We urge lawyers to redirect that money to those providing legal help to the poor or to public defenders.
Text of HJR 49
Posted: 2/21/2008
Modifies Missouri Plan
Sponsored by: REPRESENTATIVE COX
Co-sponsored by: SCHAAF, RUESTMAN, SANDER,
DUSENBERG, BIVINS, SCHARNHORST AND MUSCHANY
Text of HJR 66
Posted: 2/21/2008
Modifies Missouri Plan
Sponsored by: REPRESENTATIVE WALTON
Co-sponsored by: LEMBKE, NASHEED, HAYWOOD AND JOHNSON
Text of HJR 52
Posted: 2/21/2008
Modifies Missouri Plan.
Sponsored by: REPRESENTATIVES LEMBKE
Co-sponsored by: RUESTMAN, PORTWOOD,CUNNINGHAM (86), ICET, MUSCHANY, TILLEY, EMERY, BIVINS, DUSENBERG AND NIEVES
Memo to Missouri Legislators
Posted: 2/18/2008
This memo to Missouri Legislators describes the special interest backgrounds of some of the Appellate Judicial Commissioners.
Better Courts for Missouri Coalition Claims Significant Legislative Victories
Posted: 2/18/2008
Better Courts for Missouri Coalition leaders express optimism as they achieve two important milestones in their effort to modernize the Missouri Plan for selecting judges.
General Laws Hearing, February 5th, 2008
Posted: 2/7/2008
In this presentation, the author and co-founder of Better Courts for Missouri, William J. Placke, outlines the problems associated with the current "Missouri Plan" and offers proposals on how Missouri's judicial selection process may be reformed to better serve Missourians.
Veto Power: Missourians Declare Governor Should NOT be Restricted to AJC's First Three Nominees.
Posted: 1/2/2008
This 2007 Federalist Society-sponsored survey presents the public's thoughts on the Governor's ability to select judicial appointees.
For Most Likely Voters, the Missouri State Supreme Court is a Mystery.
Posted: 1/2/2008
This 2007 Federalist Society-sponsored survey outlines the public's knowledge of the current judicial selection process.
Not-So-Serious Threats to Judicial Independence
Posted: 1/2/2008
This article concerns modern threats to the independent judiciary amid accusations that some judges may be 'activist.' The judiciary's constitutional role as interpreter of statute is emphasised as are the dangers of non-elected judges using the bench as a legislative platform.
Page 22 contains an excellent discussion on judicial appointments and why they are supposed be a political, not "non-partisan," process.
The Consequences of Judicial Selection: A Review of the Supreme Court of Missouri, 1992-2007
Posted: 1/2/2008
This is a Federalist Society White Paper examining the issues that have arisen with Missouri's judicial selection system.
Summary of Bi-Partisan Commission Plan Proposal
Posted: 1/2/2008
This proposal combines the Missouri Plan and the Federal Plan. It follows New York, Delaware, and nine other states' structures.
Nationwide Judicial Merit Selection System
Posted: 1/2/2008
Missouri is not the only state utilizing merit to select judicial appointees. This document provides a nationwide summary of other states' "Missouri Plans."
Nationwide Judicial Selection Public Input Spectrum
Posted: 1/2/2008
This graph presents a nationwide spectrum of the degree of public input into judicial selection. You will find Missouri ranked amongst the lowest in terms of public judicial accountability.
2007 Ballot Measure Constitutional Amendment Proposal
Posted: 1/2/2008
This proposed constitutional amendment would change, repeal, and modify the Missouri Constitution.
Kansas City Bar & Federalist Society Presentation
Posted: 1/2/2008
Learn how Kansas and Missouri's "Missouri Plans" are broken and what citizens of each state may do to correct problems inherent in them. This is a presentation given to the Kansas City Bar and Federalist Society on November 14th, 2007.
Appellate Judicial Commission Election Memo
Posted: 1/2/2008
Are you unconvinced that trial lawyers have a vested interest in selecting the judges before which they practice? If so, read this Action Alert memo to MATA members sent prior to a lawyer's selection to the Appellate Judicial Commission.
AJS Merit Selection Plan Model
Posted: 1/2/2008
The block diagram presented in this file documents the theory and practice behind merit-based "Missouri Plans." The diagram highlights the Missouri Plan's basic structure and operation, as well as how it can be easily corrupted.