Two familiar faces; new judicial roles
MARY LOU MONTGOMERY
As the new year begins, two familiar faces will fill new roles within the Tenth Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Marion and Ralls counties.
Judge John Jackson, who has long held the seat of Associate Circuit Judge, will now serve as Circuit Judge, replacing Judge Rachel Bringer Shepherd, who did not seek re-election during the November general election.
And on Friday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson appointed Jennifer Richardson, veteran Northeast Missouri public defender, to fill Jackson’s vacated role to the Associate Circuit judgeship.
Both Jackson and Richardson expressed their preference for working in rural areas. Both grew up in the northern part of Missouri: Jackson is from Northwest Missouri, and Richardson is from Northeast Missouri, specifically Lewis County.
Jackson has been Associate Circuit Judge at Hannibal for 28 years, since November 1996, when veteran jurist Judge John Ogle retired.
“When I came here, I was one of the young lawyers, and now I’m one of the old ones,” Jackson bemused. “A lot of lawyers have passed away. I do know this, talking around the state, it is hard for the public defenders, prosecutors and legal service to get young lawyers to move to the rural areas. I don’t remember that being such an issue before. Personally, I wanted to be in a rural area.
“My whole career has been here. I got hired by attorneys Rendlen and Ahrens, then went out on my own in private practice.” Jackson served as Marion County prosecuting attorney, before stepping into the role of associate judge.
Richardson knew from the onset that she wanted to practice law in Missouri’s rural areas, based upon her own rural background.
After a number of years working primarily in criminal defense for the 10th Judicial Circuit, she has had the opportunity to get to know the people and the court system. “I currently I practice in the First and Second Circuit,” she said, which encompass Clark, Schuyler and Scotland counties, and Adair, Knox and Lewis counties. She also handles cases in the 41st Circuit, which consists of Shelby and Macon counties.
“I’ve been in many rural courts,” she said. “and I helped out in St. Louis city with the public defender there,” she said.
Judge Richardson
Richardson is grateful for the opportunity that lies ahead.
“I didn’t think of Judge Shepherd stepping down from bench. I assumed she would stay in this position until she was 70 (the mandatory retirement age for judges), and retire. I didn’t quite plan on being at this juncture.
“When the opening came up, I applied and was excited,” about the prospect of serving as associate judge. “ And I’m definitely excited now that I have received the appointment.
“I just love the law. I love everything about it. I’m all giddy. I just gave a presentation two weeks ago to new public defenders. I want them to feel that zest for what we do. (That attitude) can help and change so many lives, whether in the criminal or civil sector.”
She reflected upon one memorable case that she handled as an attorney.
“I had a mental health client. Unfortunately, the client was in jail because he was a danger to himself, and potentially had some concerns of being a danger to the community.
“When a person has a mental health diagnosis, being in jail confined in four walls is not a good place for a person to be. The sheriff did a wonderful job. The jail, the courts, myself and our mental health providers,” worked together, and “we went to find the best facility, a place for him, that led to a just result in the courts.
“He had some (mental) health issues that most of us wouldn’t understand. He didn’t know how to express himself; he was very childlike, with a lower IQ. So he acts out.
“A lot (went on) behind the scenes. It was like 1:43 in the afternoon and we had a conference call,” with individuals from agencies working together to resolve the issue. “The sense of pride we had for each other” in that situation “was amazing.”
“We were able to get him where he needed to be. I checked on him a couple of times,” Richardson said, "and he’s doing great.”
This represents the type of empathy she will take with her into her new judicial role.
“I’m very excited to serve the citizens of 10th Judicial Circuit. My goal to listen to everybody in the most effective manner and follow the law the best that I can.”
Richardson will be one of two associate judges in the district. Judge David C. Mobley fills the post in Ralls County.
“I practiced a significant period of time before Judge Jackson and Judge Mobley. Parts of their style are similar; a few things they handle slightly different.
“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is trying to figure out the fair and just outcome that fits the situation; novel or new ideas on how to create that just outcome.”
While the law is “very black and white, there are those situations … where the gray prevails.”
“Debt collection, which is really civil” will be part of her realm.
“I will be handling small claims court; oftentimes individuals come in without an attorney.” Richardson, in her new role, said. “I will “try to grasp the legal aspect of what they are trying to explain, “and fit the law to that circumstance.”
Judge Jackson
“I have big shoes to fill,” Judge Jackson said, referring to his predecessors on the Circuit Court bench. “There were some great jurists, Judge McKenzie, Judge Clayton, Judge Shepherd.” Following their example, "I promise to do my best to be a fair and impartial judge.”
In his role as associate judge, “I’ve handled murder cases, and other serious crimes, as well as civil cases.
“Every criminal case starts in associate court,” he said. “If it is a misdemeanor, it stays in associate court; if it is a felony, it goes to circuit court for jury trial.”
With a civil case, administrative responsibilities are divided; “the civil cases, larger dollar cases, where there is more money being asked for, go to circuit court.”
