Ferguson Commission Urges Nixon

To Sign Municipal Court Reform Bill

Rev. Starsky Wilson and Rich McClure, Co-Chairs of the Ferguson Commission, have issued a statement urging Governor Nixon to sign Senate Bill 5, which deals with municipal court reform. The reforms in the bill are in response to public outcry against what has been seen as systemic injustices in municipal court practices. They also reflect the findings of the Commission’s working group on municipal courts and governance, which is co-chaired by Commissioner Traci deVon Blackmon and Commissioner T.R. Carr, Jr. The bill specifically addresses court actions regarding outstanding warrants, excessive fines and confinement for minor non-traffic related municipal ordinance violations.

The co-chairs also commended the Missouri Legislature and various state and local government leaders for their swift action in moving this issue forward. The statement acknowledges how local attorneys and professors; county, state and federal government; and the state judicial branch members have stepped up to hold the municipal court system accountable and contributed to a better community and region. Rev. Wilson and Mr. McClure have also asked that the Missouri Supreme Court support self-initiated review and accountability actions. A summary of the bill as it tracks with the Commission’s findings is available at http://bit.ly/1EVwY8Z.

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