"The wheels of justice turn slowly, but exceeding fine." Popular axiom attributed to a number of writers, including Sun Tzu, a Chinese military strategist and author of "The Art of War."
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial ..." Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The pace of judicial proceedings, depending on perspective, may be deemed languid, rapid or - as in the case of Cole County's circuit court - "timely."
The county's 19th Judicial Circuit on Wednesday was awarded the Daniel O'Toole Award, which honors court systems for efficiency in processing and managing caseloads.
In presenting the award, Missouri Supreme Court Judge Zel M. Fischer said: "Timely case processing is fundamental to an effective judicial system and to justice itself. The staff and judges of this circuit should be commended for their commitment to timely justice to the public."
Timeliness is measured by 10 time standards developed by a committee chaired by the awards' namesake.
The standards, which became effective in 1997, established guidelines for various cases, but retained flexibility in recognition that complex cases may require additional time.
Cole County's judicial circuit met all 10 standards. It was one of 14 circuits - among 45 statewide - to receive the award.
The county's presiding circuit judge, Pat Joyce, said the award honors the work of the judges, their staffs, the circuit clerk's office and the offices of the prosecuting attorney and public defender.
This marks the ninth time our judicial circuit has received the O'Toole award.
The repeated recognition, however, is anything but routine. It is a tribute to the consistent and continuing efforts of the members of Cole County's circuit court system.