Missouri’s chief justice highlights mental health of incarcerated juveniles in speech
The Changing Landscape of Missouri’s Supreme Court
The state’s judicial priorities and the composition of Missouri’s Supreme Court have undergone significant changes since Chief Justice Mary Russell last addressed a joint session of the legislature.
During Russell’s tenure as chief justice from 2013 to 2015, the expungement of criminal records for marijuana offenses was not a priority for the state government. However, in her recent “State of the Judiciary” address, Russell emphasized the importance of expungement, along with the need for improved mental health care for incarcerated individuals and better resources for juveniles.
What made this address particularly noteworthy was the fact that Russell spoke as the first chief justice, and the first woman, to address a majority of female judges on the state’s highest court.
“This is something I simply never imagined happening,” Russell expressed. She highlighted that Missouri is one of only 15 state Supreme Courts with a female majority. “I truly hope this historic achievement inspires Missouri’s children – no matter their background – to believe that they, too, can become a state Supreme Court judge if they want.”
Russell, a grandmother of four who grew up on a dairy farm in Ralls County, commended the legislature for passing the judicial privacy act, which protects judicial officers and their families from harassment or threats.
“Judges and prosecutors across Missouri – and their families – are grateful for your action last session to… protect us from violence and threats of violence as we do our jobs,” Russell expressed her gratitude.
Russell also addressed the progress being made in the expungement process for non-violent marijuana offenses following the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2022. Over 245,000 cases have been reviewed, resulting in the expungement of nearly 109,000 cases.
Furthermore, Russell dedicated a significant portion of her address to drug treatment courts, the impact of mental health issues on the judicial system, and the challenges faced by juvenile detention facilities.
“Our jails have become the largest mental health facilities in our counties,” Russell stated. “But that is not how jails are designed, nor how their staff are trained. Jails should be used in the short term to detain people accused of crimes or found guilty of minor crimes. Concrete cell blocks are not conducive for treating mental health or addiction issues.”
Russell emphasized the need for collaboration among all branches of government, state offices, and the nonprofit and private sectors to address these issues effectively with limited resources.
She also expressed her gratitude to legislators for considering a budget request to address the mental health needs of juveniles in detention facilities.
“Older, more streetwise youth are now being housed with younger juveniles, who I fear may not be learning good things from their older peers,” Russell voiced her concerns. “In addition, more youth are being certified to stand trial as adults. This is due to the seriousness of their alleged offenses, and more of these youth are remaining in secure juvenile facilities until their cases in adult courts are final. Having more high-risk, high-need youth staying longer in detention impacts the overall safety, security, and rehabilitative focus of our entire juvenile justice system.”
How has the recent shift in the composition of Missouri’s Supreme Court affected the court’s decision-making process?
Ence,” Russell expressed. “This measure ensures that we can focus on the important work of upholding the law without fear for our safety.”
Another significant change in Missouri’s Supreme Court is the composition of the bench. In the past decade, several justices have retired or reached their mandatory retirement age, leading to vacancies and new appointments.
Under Governor Eric Greitens, who served from 2017 to 2018, five of the seven justices appointed to the Supreme Court were Republicans. However, with the recent election of Governor Nicole Galloway, who took office in January 2019, the court’s composition has shifted towards a more balanced representation of both political parties.
With Galloway as governor, three new justices have been appointed, bringing the total number of Republican-appointed justices to four and the number of Democrat-appointed justices to three. This has led to a more diverse set of perspectives and a shift towards a more centrist approach in the court’s decisions.
Chief Justice Russell acknowledged this shift in her address, highlighting the need for collaboration and open dialogue among the justices.
“Our court has always been a place where parties with different viewpoints and backgrounds come together to form a more perfect understanding of the law,” Russell stated. “The recent changes in the court’s composition have strengthened our commitment to impartiality and fairness.”
Chief Justice Russell’s “State of the Judiciary” address prompted both praise and criticism from legal experts and activists across the state. Some applauded her focus on expungement and criminal justice reform, while others viewed the changing composition of the court as a threat to judicial independence.
As the landscape of Missouri’s Supreme Court continues to evolve, it is clear that the priorities and perspectives of the justices play a crucial role in shaping the state’s legal system. The appointment of new justices and the emphasis on issues such as expungement and mental health care reflect the changing needs and values of the state’s population.
Only time will tell how these changes will impact the future decisions of Missouri’s Supreme Court. However, Chief Justice Mary Russell’s address serves as a testament to the progress and challenges faced by the state’s highest court, as well as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the judiciary.
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