Judicial Circuit 35 Presiding Judge profiles

Steve Mitchell

Democrat

Biographical information

Rob Mayer

Steve Mitchell, age 65. Married 45 years to Diane Mitchell. Three children. Five grandchildren.

Background information including education, degrees and work experience.

Undergraduate and Law Degrees from Mizzou. After discharge from active duty in the U. S. Army, engaged in full time law practice for 23 years followed by 17 years as Associate Circuit Judge

What qualifications do you feel make you the better candidate for the position?

Tried or presided over more than 25,000 cases, including many complex jury trials, in circuit and appellate courts all over the State of Missouri

What would you like to accomplish in your term as circuit judge?

Get criminal defendants to trial quicker and when a jury returns a guilty verdict in violent cases, reduce delays of imposing tough sentences . Ensure that military veterans who have served our country and who may be suffering from mental health illness and/or substance abuse have access to a Veterans Treatment Court as an alternative to prison. Expand Drug Courts and other alternative programs in non-violent criminal cases, requiring the offenders to support themselves and their children when doing so is consistent with business expectations and victims' rights. Manage dockets in a manner that will save everyone's time and tax dollars while still protecting the public.

Rob Mayer

Republican

Biographical information

My name is Robert N. (Rob) Mayer. I am a fourth generation Southeast Missourian, and the son of Marjean and the late Richard Mayer. My wife, Nancy, and I have been married for thirty-four years and have raised three sons: Jason, Dustin, and Daniel. Our oldest son, Jason and his wife Lauren (Stuever) Mayer, have just blessed us with our first grandchild, Meredith, born two weeks ago.

Background information including education, degrees and work experience.

I grew up on a farm in rural Dexter and learned the value of faith and hard work at an early age. After graduating from Dexter High School, I farmed and also worked for Arvin Automotive (Faurecia) for over twelve years in the industrial engineering department. After a down-sizing in management and with three young sons, I went back to college later in life and completed my bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University. Following SEMO, I attended law school at the University of Missouri (KC) while my wife Nancy worked as a teacher. I graduated Law School, took the bar exam and became an attorney at the age of forty. I have my own law office, Mayer Law Office, and have practiced law for fifteen years. I have dutifully served in the Missouri General Assembly, working four and a half months in Jefferson City, for the last twelve years.

What qualifications do you feel make you the better candidate for the position?

First of all, I am the only candidate who can legally serve the entire length of the judicial term. I believe I possess the values, legal experience, and common sense necessary to serve as Circuit Judge. My record as a legislator in helping to pass strong anti-crime legislation makes it clear that I believe in keeping our citizens safe and secure. I have proven this by helping to pass tougher meth laws, Missouri's Amber Alert System, Megan's Law, and Conceal and Carry.

I have had my own law office for many years, managed a staff and budget, and handled thousands of criminal and civil cases. As Chairman of the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee, Chairman of Education, Chairman of Appropriations, and as the President Pro Tem of the Senate, I have worked on difficult issues and with a diverse group of people which has prepared me for Circuit Judge.

What would you like to accomplish in your term as circuit judge?

Being a fourth generation Southeast Missourian and having lived and raised a family here, I am committed to this area. I understand the importance of keeping our citizens safe and secure. I believe that all citizens who enter our courts, whether rich or poor, regardless of their social background or ethnicity, should receive justice from our court system. They deserve to be heard and treated with respect and to have their case handled fairly and in an impartial manner based on the law and facts of the case. Those principles will guide me as I seek to improve justice EVERY day. As your next Circuit Judge, I will do everything within my power to fairly, impartially, and faithfully apply the law, because this is my home, too.