The Boone County Democratic Central Committee unanimously approved the party’s choice for associate circuit judge Tuesday night.
The committee will submit the name of Stephanie Morrell, 42, to Gov. Eric Greitens, who will choose a successor for retiring Associate Circuit Judge Deborah Daniels, 67. Morrell was the only person seeking the Democrat’s approval.
Morrell has been a practicing attorney for almost 20 years, working in both the attorney general’s and prosecutor’s offices.
“She’s done great as a prosecuting attorney, and we have confidence in her ability to be able to take the next step,” said Tom Pauley, secretary of the central committee.
Pauley said that because Greitens is a Republican, it’s unlikely he will pick a Democrat.
“We’re hopeful, we’re optimistic that she will get the appointment by the governor,” he said. “Reality is probably not, but we already knew that this is a race that’s going to be run. That’s why we want to help her get to that point — judge candidates don’t come around all the time.”
Morrell said she wants to continue the traditions of efficiency and fair treatment by the Boone County bench.
“In the 13th Circuit, which covers Boone County and Callaway County, we have always been a leader in alternative sentencing courts, what you probably know as drug courts,” Morrell said. “And so we are always looking at different considerations — whether incarceration is appropriate, whether treatment is appropriate — and so that is something that I will continue to focus on.”
Associate circuit judges hear misdemeanor and felony criminal cases as well as civil and domestic cases. They serve renewable six-year terms.
Morrell has lived in Missouri for almost 20 years. She graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.