(The Center Square) – The state’s judicial priorities and the composition of Missouri’s Supreme Court have changed since Chief Justice Mary Russell last addressed a joint session of the legislature.
When Russell was chief justice from 2013 to 2015, expunging criminal records for marijuana offenses wasn’t on anyone’s task list in state government. In addition to expungement, Russell on Wednesday highlighted the need for better mental health care for the incarcerated and improved resources for juveniles during the 50th annual “State of the Judiciary” address.
When she faced legislators, it marked the first time she, or any chief justice, spoke with a majority of female judges on the state’s highest court.
“This is something I simply never imagined happening,” Russell said, noting Missouri is one of only 15 state Supreme Courts with a female majority. “I truly hope this historic achievement inspires Missouri’s children – no matter their background – to believe that they, too, can become a state Supreme Court judge if they want.”
Russell, a grandmother of four who was raised on a dairy farm in Ralls County, praised the legislature for passing the judicial privacy act last session. Senate Bill 103 prohibits the posting of a judicial officer’s personal information for purposes of harassment or intimidation, or threatening the health and safety of an officer or their family.
“Judges and prosecutors across Missouri – and their families – are grateful for your action last session to … protect us from violence and threats of violence as we do our jobs,” Russell said.
Russell said the judicial system is making progress on completing the criminal expungement process of non-violent marijuana offenses after voters approved Amendment 3 legalizing recreational marijuana in 2022. The system reviewed more than 245,000 cases and expunged almost 109,000.
Russell spent a significant amount of time addressing drug treatment courts, the impact of mental health issues on the judicial system and juvenile detention.
“Our jails have become the largest mental health facilities in our counties,” Russell said. “But that is not how jails are designed, nor how their staff are trained. Jails should be used in the short term to detain people accused of crimes or found guilty of minor crimes. Concrete cell blocks are not conducive for treating mental health or addiction issues.”
Russell stated all branches of government must work together with state offices and the nonprofit and private sectors to share best practices and combine limited resources to address the problem.
Russell said many juveniles suffer from mental health issues when they enter detention facilities. She thanked legislators for considering a budget request to address juvenile needs.
“Older, more streetwise youth are now being housed with younger juveniles, who I fear may not be learning good things from their older peers,” Russell said. “In addition, more youth are being certified to stand trial as adults. This is due to the seriousness of their alleged offenses and more of these youth are remaining in secure juvenile facilities until their cases in adult courts are final. Having more high-risk, high-need youth staying longer in detention impacts the overall safety, security and rehabilitative focus of our entire juvenile justice system.”
