HJR 50 -- Election of Judges

Sponsor:  Hunter

This proposed constitutional amendment makes changes regarding
judges.  In its main provisions, the amendment:

(1)  Changes jurisdiction of circuit and associate circuit courts
from original to general and includes small claims and probate
within that jurisdiction;

(2)  Eliminates the nonpartisan court plan method for selection
of certain judges, requiring all judges to be elected at general
elections;

(3)  Changes from 12 to six years the term of office for supreme,
appellate, and circuit court judges;

(4)  Changes the qualifications for associate circuit judges to
the same qualifications as circuit court judges and lowers the
minimum age from 30 to 28 years;

(5)  Requires the Governor to fill judicial vacancies in all
courts by appointment, with the appointee to serve until the next
general election.  The appointee will be one of three persons
nominated by a nonpartisan judicial commission; and

(6)  Prohibits all judges from making political contributions,
except to their own campaigns.

The constitutional amendment becomes effective January 1, 2006.

Missouri House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 23, 2004 at 11:16 am