Miller pleased with addition of third Lake Area judge

State Rep. Rocky Miller, R-Lake Ozark
State Rep. Rocky Miller, R-Lake Ozark

State Rep. Rocky Miller, R-Lake Ozark, is thanking his colleagues in the Missouri General Assembly for passing legislation that allows the appointment of a third judge to share the caseload in Missouri's 26th Judicial Circuit.

Last week, Gov. Jay Nixon signed bill similar to the one originally authored by Miller to add a third judge to the 26th Judicial Circuit.

The lines defining the 26th Circuit, which includes Camden, Laclede, Miller, Moniteau and Morgan counties, were drawn in the early 20th century. Miller said while the appointment of two judges to handle the caseload within the district was "no doubt" appropriate at that time, the district's population has grown so much that an "additional judge has been needed for years."

"When they originally set up the 26th district, there wasn't any Lake of the Ozarks, and the population of those five Mid-Missouri counties was much less than it is today," Miller said. "Even today's much larger population blooms to two or three times its year-round size during the summer."

Miller said the number of cases handled by the 26th Judicial Circuit has grown so much over the years there is a perpetual backlog waiting for trial. He added it's been known for decades another judge was needed to meet the constitutional requirement of guaranteeing a defendant receives a speedy trial.

"Because of the population growth brought on by the lake, we've been trying since 1987 to get a bill passed that would allow for another judge to help handle the 26th district's caseload. And this year we finally got enough backing in both houses to get it done," Miller said. "I want to thank my colleagues for understanding the importance of adding another circuit judge to the 26th district and for budgeting the necessary money to ensure that the position is filled in a timely manner."

Under the terms of the bill, the governor will appoint a judge to fill the third judicial seat for the next four years, after which a third 26th judicial circuit judge will be elected by the people.

The first election for the new judge position is set for the November 2020 general election. The judges of the 26th Judicial Circuit are elected to six-year terms, staggered so one position comes up for election every two years.

The two judges currently serving the 26th Judicial Circuit are Kenneth Hayden, of Versailles - who was appointed to the bench in 2008, elected to the position in 2010, and is currently running unopposed for re-election in the Aug. 2 primary election - and Stanley Moore, of Lebanon - who was appointed to the position in September 2006, elected to a full term in November 2006, and re-elected in 2012 with his current term expiring in 2018. Moore currently serves as the presiding judge of the 26th district.

The new bill allowing for the appointment of a third judge will become law Aug. 28.