Nov. 2014: Perry County associate circuit judge: Jason A. Tilley

__Name:__ Jason A. Tilley

__Age:__ 47

__Place of birth:__ Blytheville, Arkansas

__Spouse's, children's names:__ Wife, Maureen

Caroline, 7

Collin, 5

__Education:__

1985 Graduate of Perryville High School

1991 Graduate of Central Missouri State University, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Journalism

2001 Graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Law

__Occupation:__ Attorney

__Employer:__ Tilley Law Firm, LLC

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ Sole owner of Tilley Law Firm, LLC

__Public offices held or sought; give dates:__ Perry County Associate Circuit Judge, November 4th

__Website:__ facebook.com/jasontilleyforjudge

__Email:__ tilleylaw@yahoo.com

__Phone:__ 573-768-1528

__What makes you the most qualified person for this position?:__

My life and legal experience. Prior to becoming an attorney I worked with developmentally disabled adults and learned two of the most important qualities in a judge, patience and compassion. I worked with the Missouri State Public Defender system providing legal representation for persons who could not afford an attorney and in 2007 started a new business representing thousands of clients in all areas of practice heard before the Associate Circuit Court.

__How much experience do you have with jury trials?:__

I have tried over 30 serious felony cases before juries throughout Missouri, including first-degree murder. That experience is important because Associate Circuit Judges do preside over jury trials where a person's freedom or hard-earned money is at stake and where crime victims are seeking justice. In those trials, decisions made by the judge affect every aspect of that trial, including whether or not the jury will even be allowed to render a verdict.

__What are your thoughts on technology in the courtroom?:__

Over the last year and a half, Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger Counties have made the transition to electronic filing and the benefits have been immeasurable both in time spent by both attorneys and clerks and in convenience. It has been a step in the right direction but more can be done, particularly by emulating the technology that exists in the new Federal Courthouse which goes a step further in both convenience and accessibility.

__Judges often balance a full workload. If elected, how would you keep court proceedings running in a timely and efficient manner?:__

During my time with the Public Defender, I learned the importance of time management and efficiency handling up to 300 cases at a time. A judge has to balance the need for each case to develop and for each side to have the opportunity and time needed to present their case with the need for judicial efficiency and my time handling enormous caseloads gives me a unique insight in ensuring that balance.

__Closing remarks:__

I believe that my legal experience, particularly the dozens of serious felony jury trials, makes me the most qualified candidate in this race, however, it is my life experience that distinguishes me in this race. When people appear in front of the court, typically, they are not lawyers and are intimidated and frightened. Working with the most vulnerable among us gives me the insight to treat everyone with patience, respect and most of all dignity.