The speaker of the Missouri House vowed Wednesday to make “much-needed medical malpractice reform” a key part of his legislative agenda.

Tagged with: General Assembly Tim Jones Tom Dempsey

A long-term solution beats the short fix any time. If you can do more with limited resources, why not?

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Missouri’s Nonpartisan Court Plan may be back in the legislative crosshairs amid growing criticism of last week’s release of judicially drawn state political districts.

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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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The Missouri House sent legislation to the governor providing the Missouri Public Defender Commission with more ability to control its caseload. Sen. Jack Goodman’s bill would allow the state’s Public Defender Commission to implement a maximum caseload standard. Goodman, R-Mt. ...

Tagged with: Jack Goodman Missouri Public Defender Commission public defenders Tim Jones

Family law attorneys say paternity bill doesn’t go far enough A bill allowing fathers to use DNA testing to challenge child-support orders has left some family law attorneys wondering what kind of help the measure really offers. At the insistence of prosecutors, the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, scaled back or cut portions that would have given fathers wider leeway in challenging paternity. LaVerne Hale, second from right, leads fathers in prayer Tuesday at the Fathers' Support Center in North St. Louis. Hale recently testified before the state Legislature about his struggles to pay support for a child who, DNA evidence eventually showed, wasn't his.

Tagged with: DNA Family Law Family Law Jeff Smith paternity Tim Jones

Two bills offering significant changes to Missouri family law have been sent to the governor for his signature. Both bills were crafted by state Sen. Jeff Smith, D-St. Louis, who worked closely with prosecutors and state agencies to ensure unanimous ...

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A House committee passed without opposition measures meant to combat a heavy caseload in the state’s public defender system. Sen. Jack Goodman’s legislation, among other things, would allow the Missouri Public Defender Commission to seek out methods of controlling their ...

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Legislation barring public entities from paying punitive damages is sparking conflict between individuals who don’t want taxpayer dollars paid out in lawsuits and others who wish to keep governmental bodies accountable for wrongdoing. The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. ...

Tagged with: Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District Missouri Human Rights Commission Tim Jones

State Rep. Bryan Stevenson might have removed the biggest obstacle in the way of legislation meant to relieve the caseload crunch for the state's public defender system: himself. Stevenson, a Webb City Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, made the somewhat unusual move of asking for Sen. Jack Goodman's legislation to be sent away from his committee. The legislation was re-directed to the House General Laws Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka (pictured left).

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â–  ABA to honor Doreen Dodson ST. LOUIS (Daily Record) A St. Louis attorney is receiving a national award from the American Bar Association for her outreach efforts to enhance the public’s awareness of the need for a fair and ...

Tagged with: American Bar Association autism Doreen Dodson Edith Messina Jack Goodman Senate Sunshine Law Tim Jones