SYLER, STATLER STRESSING EXPERIENCE IN JUDGE'S RACE; CANDIDATES HOPE TO FILL TERM VACATED IN THE 32ND CIRCUIT

Both candidates for circuit judge in the 32nd Circuit are focusing on experience as they seek the remaining four years of the Division I post vacated when Steve Limbaugh Jr. was appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Pete Statler, 50, who has practiced law in Jackson since 1969, is the Democratic candidate, while Bill Syler, 43, who spent 16 years with the law firm of Limbaugh, Russell, Syler and Payne, is the Republican candidate.

Syler is currently the judge, having been appointed by Gov. John Ashcroft to serve until the end of the year. Syler assumed the post on Oct. 1.

The 32nd Circuit includes the counties of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger. Perry County was added to the circuit on Jan. 1, and this is the first time voters in that county have elected a judge in their new district.

"As a trial attorney, I have always wanted the opportunity to serve as a trial judge," said Syler. "Recently, I had the chance to be appointed to the position. I have enjoyed the experience tremen~dously and it has been just as good an opportunity and experience as I had hoped ... it's an exciting and demanding job."

Statler, who ran for circuit judge in 1982, explained, "It is a position I have aspired to for some time and this is just an opportunity to try to achieve that position."

He added, "I think my basic experience, maturity, and familiarity with people in the area, are all strengths I have. I have had a practice here in Jackson since 1969, I know a lot of the local people from all walks of life, and I have no commitments to large corporations or firms or anything else. I'm just a pretty independent type of candidate."

For the last three years, Statler has served as municipal judge in Jackson, an experience the Democrat believes complements his experience as an attorney in preparation for a judicial post.

Syler points out that circuit court is the "trial level court" where he has gained his experience the last 16 years.

"This is a logical extension of that practice. I am going from one part of the courtroom to the other," said Syler. "That experience and training has been invaluable in the work I have done so far. Everybody looks to you to make the final decision ... the buck stops here. You have to make a decision and sometimes, pretty tough decisions."

He added, "I really want to emphasize my experience. This is the level of court I have worked with for the past 16 years. I'm not talking about traffic court; I'm talking about circuit level trial court."

As a judge, Syler said his goals are "to give people of the three counties the same kind of judicial service they have been used to, with a high degree of personal integrity, experience and ability. I certainly believe I have all those qualities."

Statler promised he would be an efficient judge, trying to handle cases as fairly and quickly as possible.

"I want to be on the bench when the cases need to be heard, get the opinions out as soon as possible after the case is heard, and meet the needs of people in the area and the Bar to hear cases and get them tried," said Statler.

"I would emphasize the independence of the position, and that the judiciary is a separate branch of the government and needs to leave the law enforcement to the executive branch and remain separate and independent from the other branches of government."

Syler noted that he hopes to keep the judicial system in the 32nd Circuit working smoothly.

"We have a very fine court system and good personnel; things are working very effectively and efficiently," said Syler. "The court was in good hands when Judge Limbaugh left it, and between Judge Limbaugh and Judge (A.J.) Seier we have a pretty smooth operation."

Both candidates are receptive to alternative forms of sentencing besides incarceration. They view it as a tool for dealing with youthful and first-time offenders, and for non-violent crimes.

"I'm in favor of alternative sentencing in that normal incarceration is tremendously expensive," said Statler. "I believe in many cases alternatives are available that meet the various goals the sentence is supposed to achieve, rehabilitation being one of them. I believe alternative sentencing can meet needs at a reduced cost to society over regular incarceration.

"Essentially anything that appears is going to work, I'm willing to try," Statler said.

Syler said, "Not every person should go to jail for their punishment, but you can't ignore their conduct. You have to look at each particular defendant convicted of a crime and the totality of circumstances such as the crime, the impact on the victim, age and experience of the defendant, and prior criminal involvement."

He added, "My inclination would be to initially do something which may give them an opportunity to redeem themselves. Certainly I am open to trying initially to give them the benefit of the doubt and something appropriate to their conduct."

One area of law the next circuit judge will be involved in is juvenile court. Both agree that dealing with juvenile offenders is a challenge, but one that can be rewarding.

"You are dealing with people who have not matured and may not be motivated. They may not have a good circumstance at home and may not have a regular structure," said Syler. "There are certain kids that respond well to a certain structure; they thrive when they have the respon~si~bilities and demands made of them that they have to meet. When they have external disci~pline, that makes up for lack of self-discipline.

"The challenge to the juvenile court officer is to develop a self-discipline so they can carry out their responsibility without someone telling them and not falling back to earlier habits when the structure is taken away from them. If you can make them see that ultimately they have to take on the responsibility for themselves, you have a leg up on solving the problem."

Statler noted the juvenile system offers "a great challenge. The juvenile system in Missouri is a very effective system, but overworked. Society doesn't have the money and personnel to provide youthful offenders with what they need. It is not the usual treatment to put them in a cell for a while. The kids need a lot of counseling and the have other kinds of needs that the juvenile system has to provide."

Both Statler and Syler view the grand jury as an important law enforcement tool. By law, circuit judges can call grand juries.

"A grand jury is something that is needed under extraordinary circumstances," said Statler. "A grand jury is a tool to be used to deal with unusual circumstances - it is a special cases situation."

Statler does not believe a standing grand jury is necessary, because the prosecuting attorney has the means available to him through the normal court system to deal with day to day issues and problems that come up.

Syler said he believes that as Cape County grows, the time may come for a standing grand jury, especially if drug activity increases. "I have no reservations about having one, but I am not sure we are to the point where we need a standing grand jury," said Syler.

A number of drug-related indictments handed out in Cape County last week is a good example of how a grand jury can work effectively, Syler said.

"One of the most effective investigative tools in American law is the grand jury," added Syler. "It is an effective way of criminal investigation."

Statler is a lifelong resident of Cape County and a veteran of the Navy. His father, W. Oesler Statler, was a judge for 14 years, including 12 years (1961-72) as circuit judge in Cape and Bollinger counties. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia Law School; is an active member of St. Paul Lutheran church; and has been active with the United Way, various other funds drives, and the Chamber of Commerce

His wife Judy is an elementary counselor for the Jackson School District. They have three sons: Matthew, 21, and Travis, 18, both students at the University of Missouri, and Daniel, 15.

Syler was born and raised in St. Louis and moved to Cape Girardeau in 1967 to attend Southeast Missouri State University. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School and worked as an intern and an assistant in the prosecutor's office in Kansas City.

He served as an assistant for Judge Seier when he was prosecuting attorney. Until his appointment as judge, Syler served nearly six years as the only chairman of the board of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Syler is active in the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Lions Club, is active with the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation, a past member of the Citizens Personnel Review Board for the city of Cape, and the National Public Radio KRCU Board.

He and his wife, the former Georganne Penzel, have two daughters: Lauren, 15, and Claire, 12. Mrs. Syler teaches in the Human Environmental Services Department at Southeast.