16th Circuit Judicial Commission

1300 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2976

Phone: (816)-889-3617
Fax: (816)-889-3599

Email: 16thCircuit.JudicialVacancy@courts.mo.gov
Website: http://www.courts.mo.gov/

Director: The Honorable Cynthia L. Martin - Chief Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District

Details on Board or Commission

Authority: Article 5, Section 25d

Mission:

Function: The Sixteenth Circuit Judicial Commission nominates 3 persons (lawyers who meet the minimum statutory requirements for service as a judge of the court for which they seek appointment) when a vacancy occurs on the circuit bench. The three names are submitted to the Governor who appoints one of the three to the vacant position. The appointee serves for one year and the voters of the circuit vote to retain or reject the person at the next general election. The term is 6 years as a circuit judge and 4 years as an associate circuit judge.

SubCommittees: none

Details on Meetings

Number of meetings: as needed when a judicial vacancy in the circuit occurs

Location of meetings: Jackson County

Duration of meetings: 1 day

Preparation time for meetings: several hours to review each candidate's application

Total time commitment: as needed

Details on Members

Total members: 5

Appointed members: 2

Term length: 6 years for appointed and elected members

Compensation: none

Member Requirements: 2 members must be lawyers elected by members of the Missouri Bar residing in the circuit; 2 must be laymen appointed by the Governor; and 1 must be the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for the appellate district in which the circuit is located

Political Requirements: no

Geographic Requirements: yes, appointed and elected members must reside in the circuit

Senate Consent Required: No