Judge Mary Russell is set to become Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court next week.
The Hannibal native has sat on the state's highest court since 2004, and previously served on the Appeals court for Missouri's Eastern District. Russell lists the expansion of specialty courts as one of her top priorities for her two-year term.
"We've got great drug courts, Missouri has more drug courts per capita than any state in the nation," Russell told reporters today. "We have veterans courts (and) we have truancy courts, and that's one of my passions – I'd like to see truancy courts expanded around the state."
Russell's priorities include seeking adequate funding for Missouri's court system, expanding electronic filing throughout the state, and emphasizing civics education. She officially takes over July 1st, when current Chief Justice Richard Teitelman's two-year term expires. Teitelman will remain on the state's High Court.
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