STATLER AND MOSS CONTRAST EXPERIENCE IN DIVISION IV RACE

After spending a short time in private practice, Allen Moss decided he prefers public service and is trying to be Cape County's next Division IV associate circuit judge.

After a 25-year career as a private attorney, Pete Statler is hoping to move to public service as the next judge in Division IV.

Both Moss and Statler are stressing their differences in experience as they try to convince voters they are the best choice for judge. Moss, 33, is talking about the quality of his experience in the legal profession. Statler, 52, is discussing his well-rounded experience as a private attorney and five years as a municipal judge in Jackson.

"Most of my seven years as an attorney has been devoted to public service," said Moss, who has served as an assistant attorney general, assistant county prosecutor and assistant city attorney for Cape Girardeau.

"I like helping people and serving people, trying to make the community a better place to live. Working in the public sector gives you a better opportunity to do that than as a private attorney," said Moss.

He decided to run for the Division IV position because it handles a wider variety of cases, including domestic cases that he has dealt with in private practice.

Statler is also familiar with the Division IV position.

"It deals with a lot of probate and domestic matters and I have a great deal of experience handling those kinds of cases as and attorney," said Statler. "I feel like I have well-rounded experience to handle any cases assigned to the court. It is a position I am eminently qualified for."

In his campaign, Moss said people are concerned about crime, particularly a rise in juvenile crime. They are also frustrated with the court system and feel it is not responsive to the needs of the common man.

Statler is stressing his experience and maturity, compared to the "inexperience" of his opponent.

"My opponent is a young, inexperienced attorney and his experience in offices he has held have not been of any long duration," said Statler. "He has experience at a lot of different things, but not for a long period of time."

Statler said his lifetime residence in Cape County gives him a good understanding of the people of the county, how they feel, and what they expect from a judge.

But Moss said quality of experience rather than quantity should be taken into consideration. He added that it is also good to have a judge who has worked in both the public and private sectors.

"I think voters should look at the quality of my experience and record of accomplishments," said Moss.

He points out that most of his legal experience has been in the courtroom doing trial work, which is good training for being a judge.

"I am good at setting goals, reaching goals and getting results," said Moss.

Both candidates would be receptive to using Division IV as a family court, if the other judges feel that is best for the circuit. Both agree that since all cases are moved quickly through the system in this circuit, there is not necessarily a great need for a family court here.

"If one division was expected to handle all juvenile and domestic matters, i don't think it would work. There is just too much of a caseload there," said Statler.

Added Moss: "If we would have a family court by an informal court rule I would be willing to accept those cases and feel comfortable handling them. But we need to be cautious before jumping in with both feet to make sure it is in the best interests of the people of Cape County."

He noted that some family court models being used in the state allow for the use of appointed family law commissioners, rather than elected judges making many of the decisions.

Moss is a native of Cairo, Ill. and has lived in the county for seven years.

In making a decision on Division IV judge, Moss said, "the bottom line is I want people to judge me on my accomplishments. I have a combination of experience, ability and hard work to get this job done."

Statler, whose father, the late W. Osler Statler was a former circuit judge in the county, said he is ready to use his experience in public service.

"I just think at this stage of my life I am ready to give the cities of this county and circuit the benefit of my 25 years experience in handling matters that are common to Division IV," said Statler.

CAPE COUNTY ASSOC. CIRCUIT JUDGE

Division IV

Candidates: Republican Allen Moss, 33, of Jackson. Democrat Pete Statler, 52, of Jackson.

Duties: Handles probate and many domestic cases. Hears civil cases under $25,000, and cases assigned by presiding circuit judge.

Incumbent: Democrat Marybelle Mueller is retiring.

Term: Four years.

Salary: $70,000.

BIOGRAPHIES:

Allen Moss

Graduate SEMO, degree in criminal justice. Law degree from SIU--Carbondale. Part time instructor at SEMO, and for SEMO Regional Police Training Academy. Served as assistant Cape County prosecutor, assistant city attorney in Cape, assistant attorney general. Currently in private practice. Active with civic groups. Wife, Katie, one child.

Pete Statler

Lifelong resident of Cape County. Undergraduate and law degrees from University of Missouri--Columbia. Navy veteran. Active at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lutheran Home board, Jackson Chamber and other civic groups. Serving third term as municipal judge in Jackson. Wife, Judy, three children.