PROSECUTOR AND PUBLIC DEFENDER IN RACE FOR ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE

Gary Kamp is running for Division III associate circuit judge in Cape Girardeau County by highlighting a record of service as a prosecutor, most of it in Bollinger County.

Gary Robbins is running for the same post by touting 21 years of legal experience and extensive time in the courtroom, most of it in his role as public defender.

Kamp proclaims in advertisements that because of Robbins' experience as public defender he might not be the best person for voters of Cape County to elect as a judge.

But Robbins responds that Kamp's time in the courtroom as a prosecutor has given him only limited experience, because as an assistant prosecutor in Bollinger County he had a very small caseload.

"My opponent has portrayed himself as consistently taking the prosecutor's role in ads, yet for years he has been a criminal defense attorney, and, in fact, advertises himself as a criminal defense attorney," said Robbins.

Kamp, 42, said he has well-rounded legal experience from working eight-and-a-half years as an assistant prosecutor in Bollinger County and one year as an assistant in Cape County.

"I think my experience as a prosecutor, as a criminal defense attorney, as well as civil experience gives me the qualities to be a well-rounded judge," said Kamp.

"A lot of people are concerned about crime and would like to have a judge with some knowledge that victims have rights as well as criminals."

Robbins, 46, said he decided to run for judge because during his 17 years as public defender he has spent most of his time representing clients in Division III and is familiar with operations of that court.

"I believe that all people ought to be treated fairly. I also believe people ought to be held accountable for their actions and that people have a right to be safe in their community and their homes," Robbins said.

"Court problems are people problems, and I have 21 years experience working with people's legal problems."

Robbins serves as public defender for a five-county area in Southeast Missouri with Cape County being the largest county. Before becoming public defender, Robbins was a captain in the judge advocate general corps of the Army, where he helped soldiers and their families with civil and criminal problems.

Kamp lives in Burfordville and was born and raised in Cape County. He has maintained a law practice in Marble Hill for 16 years.

Discussing the difference between he and Robbins, Kamp said it is a question of experience, background and the environment you bring into the court system.

"I have been both a prosecutor and defense attorney and have been on both sides of virtually every civil action," said Kamp. "I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from being an active trial lawyer of civil and criminal cases that my opponent does not have. He has dedicated his entire practice to criminal defense."

Kamp suggests that difference in experience gives voters a real choice.

But Robbins said his experience is in the court he is seeking to be judge in, and that there are other distinct differences.

"I have lived continuously in Cape County the last 17 years. My opponent practices law and has gained his experience in Bollinger County where his office exists today," said Robbins.

He said Kamp lived in Bollinger County for a number of years and that records in the county clerk's office show he just registered to vote in Cape County in July 1993.

Robbins said that being a defense attorney, public defender and prosecutor are admirable professions that are important components of the court system.

"The difference as to the quality of experience between me and my opponent is that I bring 21 years of intensive courtroom representation to the bench," said Robbins.

"I have tried more than 150 jury trials, ranging from first-degree murder to misdemeanors. Courtroom practice and an understanding of people are what gives an attorney the qualities to be a good judge. Quite frankly, I have more experience than my opponent."

BIOGRAPHIES

Gary Robbins

Resident of Jackson for last 17 years.

Appointed public defender in 1977.

Army veteran.

Active in school programs with children, coach of youth athletics.

Member of Kiwanis Club, citizen advisory board for probation and parole.

Wife, Pat, vice president at Capital Bank. Two sons.

Gary Kamp

Served as assistant county prosecutor, city attorney Marble Hill and Fredericktown.

Graduate of Southeast Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia Law School.

Active with Jackson, state and national Jaycees, and Jackson softball board member.

Elder at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.

Married, two children.

CAPE COUNTY ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE

Candidates: Democrat Gary Robbins, 46, of Jackson. Republican Gary Kamp, 42, of Burfordville.

Duties: Holds preliminary hearings on felony cases, handles misdemeanor trials, and hears civil cases under $25,000.

Incumbent: Ben Lewis, not seeking re-election in Division III.

Term: Four years.

Salary: $70,000.