Judges could ignore mandatory minimum sentencing laws for some nonviolent offenders under a bill passed Thursday by Missouri’s Republican-led House, a move that’s part of a broader push to revamp the state’s criminal justice system. The bill , which passed ...

Tagged with: Mandatory minimums Missouri House of Repesentatives Missouri Legislature

Judges could ignore mandatory minimum sentencing laws for some nonviolent offenders under a bill passed Thursday by Missouri’s Republican-led House, a move that’s part of a broader push to revamp the state’s criminal justice system. The bill , which passed ...

Tagged with: Mandatory minimums Missouri House of Repesentatives Missouri Legislature

Rethinking the benefit of prisons, Missouri House leaders are backing legislation that could effectively undo mandatory minimum sentencing laws for many nonviolent criminals. The Missouri legislation reflects a national trend toward more lenient prison terms for some drug offenders and ...

Tagged with: Missouri Legislature

Rethinking the benefit of prisons, Missouri House leaders are backing legislation that could effectively undo mandatory minimum sentencing laws for many nonviolent criminals. The Missouri legislation reflects a national trend toward more lenient prison terms for some drug offenders and ...

Tagged with: Missouri Legislature

Missouri legislators have pre-filed a large number of bills that seem to have Ferguson in mind, but the vast majority of the filings are offered by Missouri’s few Democrats, making their fate potentially tenuous in the Republican-led chambers.

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State Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City, has pre-filed a bill that would require Missouri police officers to wear body cameras, but he’s still working on amendments to address specifics on lingering legal questions including privacy.

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Lawmakers left Jefferson City without passing a single workers’ compensation bill. The Second Injury Fund will have to be addressed either in a special session or by next year’s Legislature — if the courts don’t address it first.

Tagged with: Missouri Legislature Second Injury Fund

In a friendly debate over the constitutionality of an upcoming bill, Rep. Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, left, and Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, both lawyers, don't let their disagreement get acrimonious as the last day of the legislative session runs its course Friday in Jefferson City. Photo by Karen Elshout

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A bill extending a major source of funding for legal aid organizations has been given final approval.

Tagged with: legal aid legislation Missouri House Missouri Legislature Missouri Senate

A bill extending a major source of funding for legal aid organizations has been given final approval.

Tagged with: legal aid Missouri Legislature

Missouri lawmakers have wrapped up some of their major tasks for the 2011 legislative session, including a $23.2 billion budget and congressional redistricting plan that survived the governor’s veto. That gives the Senate and House one more week to attend to other matters, including a few of specific interest to lawyers and the judiciary.

Tagged with: Missouri Legislature Nonpartisan Court Plan Second Injury Fund Workers' compensation