Pacific Research Institute 2010 Tort Liability Index
Posted: 8/13/2010
This publication is a thorough examination of the costs of the U.S. tort system, both on a national and state level.
The Current Process is As Political As It Gets
Posted: 8/9/2010
This paper details the political affiliations of three of the members of the Appellate Judicial Commission, each of whom is connected to MATA.
Judicial Crisis Network Paper on Kagan
Posted: 8/9/2010
This paper examines the record of the newest Supreme Court justice, Elena Kagan, and the effect that her appointment may have on our court.
New Report on Litigation Lobby Released
Posted: 2/11/2010
The Center for Legal Policy of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research has released the newest Trial Lawyers Inc. report, entitled K Street: A Report on the Litigation Lobby 2010. The report details the legal industry’s grasp over the judicial process, their influential role in political campaigns, and their numerous attempts to make it easier to file frivolous lawsuits.
We encourage you to read this very interesting report.
Better Courts for Missouri Applauds Decision to Uphold Funding Formula, Hopes Restraint Extends to Klotz v. St. Anthony's
Posted: 9/3/2009
Better Courts for Missouri applauds the Missouri Supreme Court's adherence to judicial restraint in their recent decision to uphold the state's school funding formula. We hope that they exercise restraint when deciding Klotz v. St. Anthony's, which challenges Missouri's comprehensive lawsuit reform statutes.
Trial Lawyer Patronage Commission Rewards Nixon
Posted: 7/10/2009
Governor Nixon has appointed longtime friend and aide Karen King Mitchell to the Missouri Court of Appeals. The three-person panel presented to Nixon consisted entirely of Democrats, further evidence that the Missouri Plan is broken and needs reform.
BCM Welcomes Justice Price to the Debate over Missouri Plan Reform
Posted: 6/24/2009
Justice Ray Price, who will take over for current Chief Justice Laura Denvir Stith on July 1st, has been quoted as supporting modest reforms to the Missouri Plan. While we believe that more comprehensive reforms are needed than the minor changes Justice Price proposes, we welcome the opportunity to work with him to make sure Missourians have access to fair and impartial courts.
Senate Committee Endorses Judicial Selection Reform
Posted: 4/23/2009
The Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee has approved House Joint Resolution 10, which will now be sent to the Senate floor for debate. This is the second judicial selection reform bill they have approved this month, after approving Senate Joint Resolution 9 on April 2.
Justice Denied: Missouri Supreme Court Proclaims Itself Above the Law
Posted: 4/20/2009
In a letter dated April 16, The Missouri Supreme Court stated that the Sunshine Law does not apply to the court. The Supreme Court has refused to comply with Better Courts for Missouri's sunshine request for information pertaining to the Court's usage of state resources to lobby against judicial selection reform.
Sunshine Request Regarding the Supreme Court's Record Retention Policy
Posted: 4/17/2009
This is a copy of the sunshine request sent to the Missouri Supreme Court's Custodian of Records relating to the Court's retention policy.
Better Courts for Missouri: What Is the Supreme Court's Record Retention Policy?
Posted: 4/17/2009
Better Courts for Missouri has submitted a sunshine request seeking information pertaining to the Supreme Court of Missouri’s policies on document retention and the use of court resources for personal, non government purposes.
Better Courts for Missouri Demands Supreme Court to Stop Stonewalling Sunshine Request
Posted: 4/14/2009
Better Courts for Missouri urges the Missouri Supreme Court to comply with the sunshine request regarding the Court's lobbying campaign against HJR 10 and SJR 9.
Missouri House Sends Judicial Reform Bill to Senate
Posted: 4/8/2009
Today, the Missouri House voted to give final approval to House Joint Resolution 10, which will now be sent to the Senate for their approval before being placed on the ballot. We thank House leadership for their dedication to reform and their swift passage of this bill.
Better Courts for Missouri Calls on Chief Justice Stith to End Court Lobbying and Political Activity
Posted: 4/7/2009
Better Courts for Missouri calls for an immediate end to the anti-reform lobbying efforts of state judiciary personnel and judges. Our organization finds this conduct ethically wrong and asks for an expedient cessation of all such activities.
House Gives Initial Bi-Partisan Approval to Judicial Reform
Posted: 4/7/2009
Today, the House voted HJR 10 perfected and printed, a major milestone on the way to passage of the bill.
Sunshine Request for Court Communications Regarding Judicial Reform
Posted: 4/2/2009
This is a copy of the Sunshine Request delivered to Justice Stith for documents and communications relating to the judicial reform effort.
Transparency in Judicial Selection Process Moves Forward
Posted: 4/2/2009
Better Courts for Missouri has filed a Sunshine Law information request to receive information regarding the partisan activities of the judiciary concerning court reform.
It has come to our attention that members of the Court have been lobbying against court reform measures and state employees have been working together with attorneys who oppose these reforms. We believe this conduct is unbecoming of a judge and is an inappropriate use of taxpayer money, and are seeking documents relating to ten areas in which the judiciary may have made direct contacts to lobby legislators on House Joint Resolution 10 and Senate Joint Resolution 9, both of which are being debated in the Missouri General Assembly this year.
Judicial Selection Reform Gains Momentum - Senate Panel Endorses Measure
Posted: 4/2/2009
Senate Joint Resolution 9, a judicial reform bill similar to HJR 10, has been approved by the Missouri Senate's Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee.
Transparency in Judicial Selection Process Moves Forward with Bipartisan Backing
Posted: 3/29/2009
House Joint Resolution 10 has been passed out of the Missouri House Special Standing Committee on General Laws with a bipartisan vote.
Memo Regarding Special Interests and Our Appellate Judicial Commission
Posted: 3/17/2009
This memo describes the special interest backgrounds of some of the Appellate Judicial Commissioners.
Court Reform Backers Present Plan to Senate
Posted: 3/12/2009
James Harris, Executive Director of Better Courts for Missouri, joined several renowned legal experts, attorneys, and grassroots activists in testifying before the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee to express the need for judicial selection reform and to urge passage of SJR 9.
Better Courts for Missouri Praises Justice O'Connor's Call for More Transparency in Missouri's Judicial Selection Process
Posted: 3/3/2009
Better Courts for Missouri praises former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's support for transparency in the judicial selection process and urges Missouri Chief Justice Stith to support reform that will increase transparency and encourage public input.
Better Courts for Missouri Applauds House Leadership - HJR 10 Moves Forward
Posted: 2/15/2009
Better Courts for Missouri applauds House leadership for swift action in assigning HJR 10 to the General Laws Committee.
Text of HJR 10
Posted: 2/10/2009
Modifies Missouri Plan
Sponsored by: REPRESENTATIVE COX
Co-sponsored by: SCHARNHORST, BIVINS, DAVIS, WALLACE, RUESTMAN, SANDER, EMERY, WELLS AND PARKINSON
Text of SJR 9
Posted: 2/10/2009
Modifies Missouri Plan
Introduced by: Senator Lembke and Senator Cunningham
The Consequences of Judicial Selection: A Review of the Supreme Court of Missouri, 1992-2007
Posted: 2/10/2009
This is a Federalist Society White Paper examining the issues that have arisen with Missouri's judicial selection system.
AJS Merit Selection Plan Model
Posted: 2/10/2009
The block diagram presented in this file documents the theory and practice behind merit-based "Missouri Plans." The diagram highlights the Missouri Plan's basic structure and operation, as well as how it can be easily corrupted.
Nationwide Judicial Merit Selection Systems
Posted: 2/10/2009
Missouri is not the only state utilizing merit to select judicial appointees. This document provides a nationwide summary of other states' "Missouri Plans."
Not-So-Serious Threats to Judicial Independence
Posted: 2/10/2009
This article from the Virginia Law Review concerns modern threats to the independent judiciary amid accusations that some judges may be 'activist.' The judiciary's constitutional role as interpreter of statute is emphasised as are the dangers of non-elected judges using the bench as a legislative platform. Page 22 contains an excellent discussion on judicial appointments and why they are supposed be a political, not "non-partisan," process.
Veto Power: Missourians Declare Governor Should NOT be Restricted to Commission's First Three Nominees
Posted: 2/10/2009
This 2007 Federalist Society-sponsored survey presents the public's thoughts on the Governor's ability to select judicial appointees.
Invitation to Chief Justice Stith to Participate in Public Forums Concerning Judiciary Reform
Posted: 2/5/2009
In her State of the Judiciary address, Chief Justice Stith spoke of the need to have an accountable and transparent judiciary. This letter from James Harris, Executive Director of Better Courts for Missouri, proposes the organization of a series of public forums across the state to get public input on reform proposals to address shared concerns about openness and accountability in the Missouri judiciary.
Presentation on the Need for Reform
Posted: 1/29/2009
In this presentation given Feb. 5, 2008, in front of the Special Committee on General Laws, the author and co-founder of Better Courts for Missouri, William J. Placke, outlines the problems associated with the current "Missouri Plan" and offers proposals on how Missouri's judicial selection process may be reformed to better serve Missourians.
Nationwide Judicial Selection Public Input Spectrum
Posted: 1/29/2009
This graph presents a nationwide spectrum of the degree of public input into judicial selection. You will find Missouri ranked amongst the lowest in terms of public judicial accountability.
Better Courts for Missouri Responds to Chief Justice Stith's State of the Judiciary Address
Posted: 1/28/2009
James Harris, Executive Director of Better Courts for Missouri, calls for action to restore public trust in the judiciary and ensure impartial courts.
Radio Ad 2
Posted: 4/10/2008
Please click to listen to the second of our latest radio ads. These ads will be running across Missouri. This ad highlights the way secrecy and political corruption have made it impossible for a single African American to get elected to the commission that nominates our highest court judges.
Radio Ad 1
Posted: 4/10/2008
Please click to listen to the first of our latest radio ads. These ads will be running all across Missouri, highlighting the secrecy and political patronage that has corrupted the Missouri Plan for selecting judges.
Better Courts for Missouri Coalition Claims Significant Legislative Victories
Posted: 2/18/2008
Better Courts for Missouri Coalition leaders express optimism as they achieve two important milestones in their effort to modernize the Missouri Plan for selecting judges.
For Most Likely Voters, the Missouri State Supreme Court is a Mystery.
Posted: 1/2/2008
This 2007 Federalist Society-sponsored survey outlines the public's knowledge of the current judicial selection process.
Summary of Bi-Partisan Commission Plan Proposal
Posted: 1/2/2008
This proposal combines the Missouri Plan and the Federal Plan. It follows New York, Delaware, and nine other states' structures.
Kansas City Bar & Federalist Society Presentation
Posted: 1/2/2008
Learn how Kansas and Missouri's "Missouri Plans" are broken and what citizens of each state may do to correct problems inherent in them. This is a presentation given to the Kansas City Bar and Federalist Society on November 14th, 2007.
Appellate Judicial Commission Election Memo
Posted: 1/2/2008
Are you unconvinced that trial lawyers have a vested interest in selecting the judges before which they practice? If so, read this Action Alert memo to MATA members sent prior to a lawyer's selection to the Appellate Judicial Commission.