ShowMe Better Courts

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Show Me Better Courts!

ShowMe Better Courts is made up of Missourians committed to the fight for a better appellate judicial selection system for Missouri.

We are sponsoring an initiative petition that will replace the flawed "Missouri Plan" with direct elections, putting the people - not special interest groups or elite legal industry associations - in charge of Missouri's judiciary.

The right to vote is essential in a democracy.

Thousands of Missourians have fought and died defending our constitutional rights. Unfortunately we are denied the right to exercise democracy when it comes to selecting the judges who serve on our highest courts. Greedy personal injury lawyers control what they call "merit selection," keeping everyday Missourians out of the process.

Our movement aims to restore the right of Missourians to elect the judges who serve on our highest courts.

Related News and Opinion

06.02.2010 Post-Dispatch publishes op-ed by James Harris
In an op-ed, James Harris explains the need for reform and the benefits of judicial elections. You can read the full op-ed here.

05.02.2010 Petition Signatures Have Been Submitted
ShowMe Better Courts has submitted signatures to the Secretary of State. You can read the full story on our news page.

02.16.2010 “All Missouri judges should be elected”
Judges are an extremely important part of our system of government – we have entrusted them with the authority to decide cases that intimately and profoundly affect our lives. read more

Must Read Book

This book is full of empirical evidence supporting our claim that judges ought to be elected. Read the great editorial reviews and buy online!

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Judicial Hellholes

Judicial Hellholes 2007

The Missouri Supreme Court was named as a Dishonorable Mention in the American Tort Reform Associations 2007 list of Judicial Hellholes. The court decided to grant class certification to children allegedly exposed to lead but lacking any present physical injuries, an action that meant they recognized a claim for the future costs of diagnostic monitoring and treatment of any lead-based injuries that may or may not develop and that damages could be recovered before an injury was incurred (ATRA).

Judicial Hellholes 2008/2009

Missouri was also included as a Dishonorable Mention in the 2008 Judicial Hellholes report from the American Tort Reform Association, being given the nickname of the Show Me (Your Lawsuits) State. The decision leading to our states Dishonorable Mention status is one in which the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that cases brought by 11 plaintiffs from out of state could be heard in Missouri though there was nothing about the case that tied it to Missouri after all plaintiffs from Missouri had their cases moved to federal court. Despite the fact that other states would arguably be more suitable forums for the remaining cases, the court decided to allow the cases to stay in Missouri a clear case of disregard for rules that discourage venue shopping and an open invitation to import out-of-state litigation (ATRA).

What Can I Do to Help?

Sign up for our mailing list! It is easy, just fill out your email address on the top of this page and you are set! We will let you know when important events are happening.

Sign the petition! Please contact us for more information on how you can sign the petition.

Volunteer for the Cause! Click the Volunteer link and give us your information. We will let you know about volunteer opportunites as they become avilable.

Donate now! Click below to learn how your contribution will benefit the cause of Judicial Reform.