PLATTE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES
The Missouri Judicial Performance Review Committee has released its performance findings for the 71 nonpartisan judges who are up for retention vote at the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election.
The list of judges up for retention on Nov. 5 includes three judges in Platte County: Circuit Court Judge Megan Benton, Associate Circuit Court Judge Abe (Quint) Shafer, and Associate Circuit Court Judge Amy Ashelford.
Information on the survey findings is provided by the Missouri Judicial Performance Review committee as part of its charge per Supreme Court of Missouri Rule 10.55 to release information to the public about the judicial performance review process and the vote of the committee. Results are disseminated on or before Oct. 1 of an election year by The Missouri Bar and its affiliates in a manner designed to maximize the use of the information by the public.
On Oct. 1, The Missouri Bar emailed The Landmark a news release with a link to judges’ ratings.
“We want to make sure the people of Missouri have good judges who are fair, impartial, and skilled,” said Larry Tucker, chair of the statewide committee. “Our independent committee provides voters with extensive information about the performance of our judges up for retention to help them make informed decisions.”
The committee reviewed the performance of 71 judges, including two Supreme Court of Missouri judges, 10 Court of Appeals judges, 34 circuit court judges, and 25 associate circuit court judges in circuits where the judges are appointed under the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan. The committee found all judges substantially meet overall judicial performance standards.
The complete performance review information of each judge is available at YourMissouriJudges.org.
The committee considers a variety of information about each judge, including lawyers’ ratings of the judges, jurors’ ratings of some trial judges, and written opinions from judges. The public can access these items at YourMissouriJudges.org.
Jurors were asked a series of questions about the judge’s courtroom conduct. The lawyers’ survey focused on key traits that judges need to render justice effectively and fairly.
Circuit and associate circuit judges were rated in areas including a wide range of observable skills and traits, such as treating people fairly, competency in the law, and writing clear opinions.
Supreme Court of Missouri and Missouri Court of Appeals judges were rated on a different set of criteria as they decide cases that are appealed because of possible legal errors, either procedural or through misinterpretations of the law. These judges were rated on areas such as whether their opinions were clearly written, whether they adequately explained the basis of the court’s decision, and whether they issued opinions in a timely manner.
For all judges, lawyers’ surveys were converted into a numerical score between one and five, with one being the poorest and five being the best.
All identifiable information was removed from the survey results and the judges’ written opinions to ensure the committee did not know the identity of each judge they reviewed.
“Every effort has been taken to assure that neither a conscious bias, nor an unconscious bias, will influence the work and the report of the committee,” Tucker said. “As such, the public and the bar can be confident that the committee’s report is soundly based and scrupulously fair.”
Tucker said the committee’s work is important because it helps ensure Missouri citizens have good judges who substantially meet overall judicial performance standards. He added that the performance reviews have had a positive impact on the number of people who vote in retention elections.
“The committee’s work to educate voters about the performance of our judges has led to improved voter participation in judicial retention elections since 2008 because when voters feel more informed, they are more likely to vote,” Tucker said.
In the survey of lawyers, following are results for the three judges in Platte County who are up for retention vote this year. Results are scaled from 1-5, with 5 being the highest rating.
The judge was prepared for court: Benton 4.8; Shafer 4.91; Ashelford 4.9.
The judge treated the parties equally: Benton 4.0; Shafer 4.76; Ashelford 4.87.
The judge used courtroom time efficiently: Benton 4.6; Shafer 4.91; Ashelford 4.77.
The judge addressed individuals respectfully in the courtroom: Benton 5.0; Shafer 4.82; Ashelford 4.97.
The judge made sure all parties (attorneys and their clients) understood the court proceedings: Benton 4.6; Shafer 4.91; Ashelford 4.87.
The judge started courtroom proceedings on time: Benton 4.6; Shafer 4.94; Ashelford 4.81.
The judge conducted proceedings in an impartial manner: Benton 4.4; Shafer 4.79; Ashelford 4.9.
The judge allowed appropriate time for each proceeding: Benton 4.6; Shafer 4.82; Ashelford 4.9.
The judge maintained a professional demeanor in the courtroom: Benton 5.0; Shafer 4.85; Ashelford 4.97.
The judge listened carefully during court proceedings: Benton 4.6; Shafer 4.85; Ashelford 4.94.
The judge adhered to rules of procedure appropriate to each proceeding: Benton 4.4; Shafer 4.82; Ashelford 4.94.
The judge applied rules of evidence relevant to each proceeding: Benton 4.2; Shafer 4.76; Ashelford 4.83.
The judge assisted parties in narrowing key issues in dispute: Benton 4.25; Shafer 4.78; Ashelford 4.6.
The judge carefully considered arguments from both sides before ruling: Benton 4.2; Shafer 4.71; Ashelford 4.83.
The judge gave reasons for a ruling when needed: Benton 4.4; Shafer 4.82; Ashelford 4.75.
The judge’s ruling(s) cited the applicable substantive law: Benton 3.75; Shafer 4.58; Ashelford 4.62.
The judge’s ruling(s) followed logically from the evidence presented: Benton 4.4; Shafer 4.62; Ashelford 4.8.
The judge issued clear written orders: Benton 4.2; Shafer 4.7; Ashelford 4.77.
Considering the amount of applicable and complexity of the pertinent legal questions, the judge’s decisions were rendered promptly: Benton 4.4; Shafer 4.82; Ashelford 4.9.
