Justice would be impossible without the people who make the courts and the laws work.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice and Hannibal native Mary Rhodes Russell presented two awards for excellence Wednesday to the 10th Judicial Circuit.
The O’Toole Award recognized the efficient handling of cases.
The Permanency Award was for holding timely hearings in child abuse matters.
“As we all know, justice delayed is justice denied,” Russell said. “In these economic times, we’re asking our court personnel to do more with less.”
Circuit Judge Robert M. Clayton II accepted the awards on behalf of the circuit, which covers Marion, Ralls and Monroe counties.
Clayton, who said he was honored to have a “friend and former law partner” make the presentation, was quick to give credit to all who make the court system run smoothly.
“This is not an award I earned,” Clayton told the audience of court personnel from the three counties. “It is an award all the judges and clerks and the attorneys of the circuit have earned. All of us in the court system appreciate your support.”
Missouri put case-processing time standards into place 12 years ago.
To get the O’Toole Award, a circuit must meet at least five standards and score 95 percent or higher on five others. The 10th Circuit fully met all 10 requirements for 2009.
“The staff and judges in this circuit should be commended for their commitment to providing timely justice to the public,” Russell said.
The Permanency Award emphasizes expediency as well as quality in handling child abuse and neglect cases, and sets parameters for resolving matters timely.
“The success this circuit has achieved is a testament to the leadership and hard work of judges, juvenile officers, clerks and other support staff,” Russell said.
While speed is important, Clayton emphasized that fairness and justice are the top priorities of the court system.
To that end, Clayton tries to make sure each case is handled equitably.
“I‘ve not seen any evidence, nor have I heard anyone complain, that somebody has been short-circuited,” he said.
One other component that Clayton says is critical to making the system work is juries.
Clayton said he’s noticed that few people try to get out of jury duty and that most who serve have a positive experience.
“They’re almost uniformly appreciative of the system,” he said.
The 10th Circuit was one of 13 to get the O’Toole Award and one of 23 to receive the Permanency Award. There are 45 judicial districts in the state.
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Justice would be impossible without the people who make the courts and the laws work.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice and Hannibal native Mary Rhodes Russell presented two awards for excellence Wednesday to the 10th Judicial Circuit.
The O’Toole Award recognized the efficient handling of cases.
The Permanency Award was for holding timely hearings in child abuse matters.
“As we all know, justice delayed is justice denied,” Russell said. “In these economic times, we’re asking our court personnel to do more with less.”
Circuit Judge Robert M. Clayton II accepted the awards on behalf of the circuit, which covers Marion, Ralls and Monroe counties.
Clayton, who said he was honored to have a “friend and former law partner” make the presentation, was quick to give credit to all who make the court system run smoothly.
“This is not an award I earned,” Clayton told the audience of court personnel from the three counties. “It is an award all the judges and clerks and the attorneys of the circuit have earned. All of us in the court system appreciate your support.”
Missouri put case-processing time standards into place 12 years ago.
To get the O’Toole Award, a circuit must meet at least five standards and score 95 percent or higher on five others. The 10th Circuit fully met all 10 requirements for 2009.
“The staff and judges in this circuit should be commended for their commitment to providing timely justice to the public,” Russell said.
The Permanency Award emphasizes expediency as well as quality in handling child abuse and neglect cases, and sets parameters for resolving matters timely.
“The success this circuit has achieved is a testament to the leadership and hard work of judges, juvenile officers, clerks and other support staff,” Russell said.
While speed is important, Clayton emphasized that fairness and justice are the top priorities of the court system.
To that end, Clayton tries to make sure each case is handled equitably.
“I‘ve not seen any evidence, nor have I heard anyone complain, that somebody has been short-circuited,” he said.
One other component that Clayton says is critical to making the system work is juries.
Clayton said he’s noticed that few people try to get out of jury duty and that most who serve have a positive experience.
“They’re almost uniformly appreciative of the system,” he said.
The 10th Circuit was one of 13 to get the O’Toole Award and one of 23 to receive the Permanency Award. There are 45 judicial districts in the state.
