Division 2 race pits incumbent judge against attorney

The Aug. 4 primary election for judge of the Cole County Circuit Court, Division 2, will pit a sitting judge against a longtime trial attorney.

The winner of the Republican primary between David Bandre and incumbent Judge Dan Green will be unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election.

Bandre has practiced law in Jefferson City for 25 years, the last 18 with Bandre, Hunt & Snider LLC. He has tried cases in many counties across the state as well as at the Missouri Supreme Court and Missouri Court of Appeals. Bandre represents several communities in Mid-Missouri, including Wardsville, Taos, Lohman and St. Thomas.

Green, seeking his third term, has served as circuit judge since his election in 2010. Green previously served as Jefferson City prosecutor for 14 years and was managing partner at the Jefferson City law firm of Hearne & Green for 20 years.

Bandre said a lot of things are working well in the local courts - such as moving cases through the system as fast as possible, but some things need to be changed.

"I think the court needs to be more available and open," Bandre said. "I think if the courthouse doors are open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., then a judge needs to be in the office during that time. I find it incredibly frustrating if I need something from the court and I go to the court and they're not there. That hurts the profession, and it hurts the perception that my clients have."

For Green, trying to promptly adjudicate cases is his main concern, especially as the courts are now dealing with limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have to maintain the safety of the litigants and the court staff, and I think we've done that thanks to guidance we've been given from the Missouri Supreme Court and the Cole County Health Department," Green said. "We're not requiring as many in-person appearances in the courthouse, and that's the biggest change. It hasn't changed how we do sentencings because the person has to be here for that."

Bandre believes his broad experience in civil and criminal law gives him the knowledge to deal with the types of cases he would face as a judge.

"Your job as a circuit judge is to know what the law is and interpret the facts of the case that comes to you," Bandre said. "At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter what a judge's politics are. Their job is to analyze what the Legislature or the voters have determined what the law is and apply that to various cases. I think we'll see more cases dealing with state ballot issues, but the bulk of the cases will still be criminal trials, divorces and property rights."

Green said his decade on the bench makes him the best candidate when it comes to civil law matters. Only Kansas City and St. Louis circuit courts hear more civil cases than Cole County.

"I'm the only candidate with judicial experience," Green said. "When you count my 20 years as a practicing attorney, I think I'm vastly qualified to hear these types of cases. Since we are home to the state capital, we are the first look at many statewide issues. Those change every year, but you deal with it, and I think we have done a good job of moving things up because we have to establish a record for the higher courts to review."

Alternative courts

The use of alternative courts, which offer a treatment-based alternative to incarceration or other punishments, has been increasing in many parts of the country; four such courts are offered in Cole County.

"I think the focus needs to be getting the right people into those programs and realizing that some of the folks in these programs are those who can't be helped in that system because they don't want to be helped," Bandre said. "In talking to the folks at (Court Appointed Special Advocates), we're still learning what works and doesn't work. The goal of a court shouldn't be to fine everyone or put everyone in jail, but get these people to where they're not coming back to court."

Green said: "Alternative courts have their place in the judicial system. I'm not involved in the ones we have now, but the judges that are have a lot of training and they are being utilized in an effective way."

Public safety

Green said the residents he's talked to are first and foremost interested in public safety.

"I also think people are wanting to see timely disposition of cases and making sure there is a judge with experience," Green said. "Judges are always guided by the parameters of the law, but there are many cases where a judge has to exercise his or her discretion in deciding the case in a manner that preserves justice for all involved. I look forward to this race being a referendum on my last 10 years of service, and I'm confident I did a good job in the past and will do a good job in the future."

Bandre said he's found it encouraging that people he's talked to while campaigning want to know more about the people and issues they are voting for.

"It's discouraging that a large percentage of the county residents don't even know who judges are," Bandre said. "Folks want to know, 'Why should I want to get out and vote?' I just encourage people to get out and vote, whether it's for me or anybody else. I see the concern that people have been posting on social media about not liking how things are working. I think you have it in your own hands to address that."

Missouri, like other parts of the country, has seen effects on court systems on the matter of police brutality, but Bandre and Green said they have seen none of that locally.

"I think it puts decisions under the microscope, and there needs to be a focus from the court on making sure police do their job correctly," Bandre said. "The law enforcement I've worked with want to get better at their job. I think the focus should be to help them in doing that."