Judge Jon Beetem has filed for re-election as the Division I Circuit Judge for Cole County after completing his first term in office.
Division I handles general civil and criminal cases as well as juvenile court cases.
Elected in 2006, Beetem has promoted programs improving coordination between the courts and the jail to reduce the need for prisoner transportation for court appearances as well as programs through the Prenger Family Center for supervised visitation, parenting classes and community service programs for juvenile offenders.
With Beetem's assistance and support, the Capital City CASA program was launched. The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program matches specially trained volunteers with children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect. CASA workers provide additional information to the court in order to make better decisions for these children.
Beetem has been nationally recognized as an ASTAR fellow, having received specialized training in conducting and managing trials involving complex and novel scientific evidence.
In his free time, Beetem works with programs encouraging positive youth development, such as the DARE program and the 4-H programs.
He recently remarked he "was honored to serve the citizens of Cole County, fulfilling his oath to support the Constitution and to fairly and impartially judge the issues brought before him." He acknowledged as a judge he has had to make a number of difficult decisions. He appreciates the support of the community and asks for their vote in the upcoming election.
Beetem, his wife and children live in Jefferson City and attend the First Presbyterian Church.