Missouri plan best to pick judges

To the editor:

On July 31 Judge Stephen Limbaugh of Cape Girardeau will leave his seat on the Missouri Supreme Court to accept his appointment to the federal bench. Our state courts will lose an excellent jurist. Because this is Missouri, we can be sure that Limbaugh's seat on the court will be filled by a highly qualified lawyer who will not be beholden to special interests or corporations.

Missouri has a better way than other states for selecting judges of its appellate courts as well as trial judges in St. Louis City and in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties. It is the nonpartisan court plan, and it consistently provides our state with excellent judges. The plan is simple. Lawyers who want to serve as judges and who believe they are qualified submit their applications. A commission of lawyers and members of the public reviews the applications, conducts interviews and selects the top three candidates. The governor fills the opening by selecting the top candidate. After the new judge has served at least 12 months, the voters decide whether the commission and governor made a good pick by determining whether the judge should be retained.

The plan has served Missouri for nearly three-quarters of a century, becoming a model for the nation. Judicial candidates need impeccable credentials, a strong understanding of the law and the standing within the legal profession and their community to gain the trust and respect of others.

CHARLIE J. HARRIS Jr., President, The Missouri Bar, Jefferson City, Mo.