Zel Fischer

May 22, 2026

State’s highest court affirms decision in child sexual assault case

The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed James Guthrie’s child rape conviction, ruling prosecutors presented sufficient evidence on victim age.

Sep 5, 2014

Supreme Court presents judges with ASTAR Awards

The Missouri Supreme Court last week presented judges from the 23rd and 21st Judicial Circuits with the ASTAR Award.

Jan 12, 2011

Real Property: Nuisance – Gun Range – Injunction

Goerlitz v. City of Maryville (MLW No. 61678/Case No. SC90699 – 15 pages) (Supreme Court of Missouri, Fischer, J.; Price, C.J., Teitelman, Russell, Wolff and Breckenridge, JJ., concur; Stith, J., concurs in result in separate opinion filed)

Dec 22, 2010

Life without parole OK’d for juvenile offender

The lawyer who represented a juvenile who will spend the rest of his life behind bars hopes the nation’s highest court will take the case, following a ruling against her client in Missouri’s high court.

Dec 22, 2010

Criminal Law: Juvenile Murder Defendant – Certification Procedure – Life Without Parole

State v. Andrews (MLW No. 61620/Case No. SC91006 – 50 pages) (Supreme Court of Missouri, Fischer, J.; Price, C.J., Russell and Breckenridge, JJ., concur; Wolff, J., dissents in separate opinion filed; Teitelman and Stith, JJ., concur in opinion of Wolff, J.; Stith, J., dissents in separate opinion filed; Teitelman and Wolff, JJ., concur in opinion of Stith, J.)

Sep 2, 2010

Negligence: Ex Parte Communications – Court Order – HIPAA Preemption

State ex rel. Bobbie Jean Proctor and Vincent Proctor v. Messina (MLW No. 61195/Case No. SC90610 – 24 pages) (Supreme Court of Missouri, Fischer, J.; all concur)

Nov 13, 2009

UPDATED: St. Louis city and county circuit courts to receive award

The Missouri Supreme Court will honor the St. Louis and St. Louis County circuit courts with the Permanency Award at ceremonies next week. This is the second time the 21st […]

Sep 22, 2009

Presiding Judges meeting kicks off annual Judicial Conference

The Judicial Conference began Tuesday with an all-day Presiding Judges meeting – where PJs from around the state talked about issues ranging from scientific evidence in courtrooms, videoconferencing, juries, legislation […]

Aug 18, 2009

Interrogation recordings not yet required

An appeals court affirmed the conviction of a Kansas City man for the murders of six women. In the process, the court rejected an invitation to create a rule that […]

Apr 7, 2009

Transcript of Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s interview with Zel Fischer

APPEARANCES: Hon. Zel Fischer From Missouri Lawyers Weekly: Richard Gard Rick Jackoway John DeMoor Allison Retka Heather Cole Scott Lauck (telephonic) From Midwest Litigation Services: Debbie Weaver Bill DeVries, Court […]

Apr 2, 2009

A conversation with Judge Fischer

When Zel Fischer was selected to the Missouri Supreme Court last year, he was largely unknown outside northwest Missouri, where he was an associate circuit judge in Atchison County. On the state’s highest bench for five months now, Fischer has had a chance to get his feet on the ground and write a few opinions. He graciously agreed to sit for a question-and-answer session with reporters and e[...]

Jan 14, 2009

Supreme Court rules law changes violate ADA

A woman with both physical and mental disabilities is due services under a state program, the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, finding a 2005 change in the eligibility standard violates federal […]