The State of Missouri’s Third Branch of Government
Any basic civics lesson will show you that Missouri state government is structured very similarly to the U.S. federal government. Both levels of government consist of three, co-equal branches, each with their own set of duties and responsibilities. The legislative branch, in which I serve at the state level, makes the laws. Meanwhile, the executive branch enforces those laws. Last but not least, we have the judicial branch which interprets the law. As I said before, these three branches of government are co-equal branches, none more important than the other. We work together to help our state and our country move forward. Here in Missouri, the Legislature recently heard from the governor, who leads our state’s executive branch, on his priorities for the coming year. This week, we had the opportunity to hear from the head of Missouri’s third branch of government.
On Jan. 22, the chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court delivered the annual State of the Judiciary Address. Discussing the 200th anniversary of Missouri’s statehood, Chief Justice George W. Draper III remarked just how far Missouri’s court system has come over the years. Missouri’s court system has grown from four circuit courts established by the state’s first constitution to 46 judicial circuits today. Technology has also had a transformative impact on our state’s judicial branch. The chief justice discussed how the Internet and online filings has made Missouri’s court more open and more accessible to everyday Missourians. The courts are currently updating many of their automation systems, and the chief justice asked for additional investment from the Legislature to ensure Missouri’s courts stay accessible for years to come.
The chief justice also spoke to the changing nature of the court system over the years. Initially, the courts were designed to simply resolve disputes. Now, the courts play a key role in handling some of the toughest issues facing our state, including combatting addiction. The Missouri General Assembly passed our state’s first treatment court legislation in 1998, recognizing that not all substance abuse cases can be solved by jail time. Since then, the General Assembly has expanded and standardized treatment court services across the state and worked to connect individuals with the treatment services they desperately need. Last year, we also passed legislation, which I handled in the Missouri Senate and was later signed into law by the governor, to create veterans treatment courts. These courts serve the special needs of our current and former military members in addressing substance abuse, mental health and other disorders.
As the chief justice’s address shows, it takes all three branches of state government to carry out the important work of serving the people of Missouri. We all have our roles to play in improving the many different aspects of state government, including our court system. I look forward to working with my colleagues during the legislative session to send these kinds of proposals to the governor’s desk for his consideration.
Please feel free to contact my office at (573) 751-2076. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Bernskoetter.