Supreme Court of Missouri

Supreme Court of Missouri
Court name	Supreme Court of Missouri
Caption	Seal of the Supreme Court of Missouri
Established	1820
Location	Jefferson City, Missouri
Authority	Constitution of Missouri
Terms	12 years
Chiefjudgename	Paul C. Wilson
Termstart	2021
Website	https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=297

Supreme Court of Missouri The Supreme Court of Missouri is the highest court in the U.S. state of Missouri and the head of the Missouri judiciary. Established with statehood in 1820, it plays a critical role in interpreting state law and the Constitution of Missouri. Its decisions, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries, have had a profound impact on the legal landscape of civil rights within the state, often reflecting and shaping the broader struggles of the Civil rights movement.

History and establishment

The court was established by the first Constitution of Missouri, which was adopted in 1820 concurrent with Missouri's admission to the Union under the Missouri Compromise. Its early history was marked by itinerancy, holding sessions in various locations including St. Louis, St. Charles, and the capital, Jefferson City. The court's structure and powers have evolved through subsequent state constitutions, notably those of 1865 and 1875, which reorganized the judiciary. The post-Civil War era, under the Reconstruction constitution of 1865, was a period of significant change, setting the stage for the court's later encounters with issues of segregation and equality.

Role in the Missouri judiciary

As the court of last resort in Missouri, it holds general appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by the state's lower courts, including the Missouri Court of Appeals. It is the final arbiter of questions of state law and the state constitution. The court also oversees the practice of law within Missouri through its supervisory authority over the state bar and the lower judiciary. This administrative role includes the power to establish rules of practice and procedure for all state courts, a function that has been used to promote fairness and access within the legal system.

Landmark civil rights cases

The court's jurisprudence on civil rights presents a complex history. In the 19th century, it upheld pro-slavery laws, but following the Civil War, it began to grapple with new legal realities. A pivotal early case was *State v. Celia* (1855), where it upheld the conviction of an enslaved woman for killing her master while resisting sexual assault, denying her a right to self-defense. In the *Plessy* era, the court enforced segregation statutes, as seen in *Gaines v. Canada* (1938), where it initially denied Lloyd Gaines admission to the University of Missouri School of Law based on race. That decision was overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States, a key precursor to *Brown v. Board of Education*. Later, the Missouri court played a more progressive role, such as in *State ex rel. Gaines v. Canada* and by enforcing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent federal mandates against discrimination.

Composition and selection of justices

The court is composed of a chief justice and six judges, all bearing the title "judge." Since 1940, justices have been selected through the Missouri Plan, a form of merit selection designed to reduce partisan influence. When a vacancy occurs, a nonpartisan Judicial Nominating Commission reviews applicants and submits three names to the governor, who makes an appointment. The appointed justice then stands for a retention election at the next general election; if retained, they serve a full 12-year term. This system has been influential nationally as a model for judicial selection.

Jurisdiction and powers

The court's jurisdiction is primarily appellate, but it also has exclusive original jurisdiction over cases involving the validity of federal statutes or treaties, state revenue laws, and challenges to statewide elected officials. It possesses the power of judicial review over state laws and executive actions. Furthermore, the court has exclusive jurisdiction in cases involving the death penalty, directly reviewing all capital convictions from circuit courts. Its writ authority (e.g., mandamus, prohibition, certiorari) allows it to control proceedings in lower courts.

Notable justices

Several justices have left significant marks on the court's history and its approach to civil rights. John D. Lawson served in the late 19th century. James E. Goodrich was a justice during the early 20th century. More recently, Charles B. Blackmar, who served from 1982 to 1992, was a noted scholar and wrote opinions advancing due process rights. Duane Benton, later a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, served on the court in the 1990s. The first African American justice, Ronnie L. White, was appointed in 1995; his tenure included important rulings on criminal justice and equal protection issues.

Relationship to federal civil rights law

The Supreme Court of Missouri operates within the framework of American federalism. While it is the final authority on state law, it is bound by the Supremacy Clause to follow the United States Constitution and authoritative interpretations from the Supreme Court of the United States on federal questions, including civil rights. Landmark federal cases like *Brown v. Board of Education* (1954), *Loving v. Virginia* (1967), and *Obergefell v. Hodges* (2015) directly compelled changes in Missouri law and the state court's jurisprudence. The Missouri court's role has often involved applying these federal civil rights protections to specific contexts within the state, balancing state autonomy with federally guaranteed rights.