Cole County judge cited for suspicion of drunken-driving

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Cole County judge was cited over the weekend for suspicion of drunken-driving, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

Senior Judge Byron Kinder, 74, faces a likely charge of driving while intoxicated after a Highway Patrol trooper stopped Kinder's car on a rural road outside Jefferson City on Friday night.

The trooper reported seeing Kinder's vehicle committing lane violations and driving carelessly. The judge was issued a summons for DWI and released.

The effect of the citation on his judicial caseload is unclear. Kinder did not immediately respond to a telephone message left at his home Tuesday seeking comment, and court officials did not reply to an Associated Press interview request.

The Highway Patrol did not disclose the result of Kinder's blood-alcohol test, pending a review of the case by Cole County prosecutors.

Kinder is a well-known legal figure in Jefferson City, serving as both an assistant prosecutor and county prosecutor before becoming a circuit judge more than three decades ago.

He was elected circuit judge five times before retiring from full-time work and continued to handle many cases, usually preliminary hearings.

Circuit Court Judge Patricia Joyce told the Jefferson City News Tribune that Kinder is "considering what his future plans will be" following the citation. Cole County judges may also ask the state to appoint a special judge until Kinder's case is resolved, she said.