Timmerman for Circuit Judge

You and I have a contract with our elected representatives. It defines our form of government. Put simply, our
government is divided into three Departments: the Legislative Department , which enacts laws reflecting the will of at
least 51% of the people: the majority. The Executive Department, which implements the laws enacted, through it's
various departments and divisions. And the Judicial Department, which enforces the laws enacted, by meting out
punishment for their violation. This contract also defines and limits what our elected representatives may do in our
collective names. It grants you and I, as citizens of the State of Missouri, specific, unalienable rights. It ensures the
rights of the minority against the whims of the majority. And most important, grants the Judicial Department the
power to enforce this contract. This contract with our elected representatives is called the Constitution.

Lawyers are the ground troops and judges are the officers of the Judicial Department. There are five levels of judges
and courts in Missouri. The lowest level is municipal court, then associate circuit/probate court, (each of Missouri's
114 counties has at least one of each), then circuit courts, (there are 45 circuits), then appellate courts, (there are 3)
and the highest: the Missouri Supreme Court. In order to practice law in the State of Missouri, (because Missouri has
an integrated Bar), a lawyer must have graduated from an accredited Law School and passed a Bar Exam, to become
a member of the "Missouri Bar", (a committee of the Missouri Supreme Court). All judges serving, at a level above
municipal judge, (which does not require a law degree or any legal experience), must be a licensed attorney.

I believe a judge is a servant of the law. A circuit judge, although elected, is NOT in a political position. He has no
business making law nor furthering what he believes the law should be. A judge's personal beliefs should not cloud
his judgment nor sway his evaluation of the credibility of witnesses. I believe a judge has an absolute duty to be fair,
be impartial and to treat the people that stand before him, with the respect they deserve, as fellow human beings. I
believe a judge should have the requisite life experiences to appreciate the human condition and have compassion for
human frailty. One can only gain that through age and experience. Any lawyer can research and find the law, but a
judge should have a working knowledge of the law and have applied that knowledge by arguing, on behalf of a client,
before every level of court in Missouri, (and preferably before every level of court in the Federal court system as well.)

A circuit judge is the most powerful person in our America because he/she is the ONLY person who can sentence a
person to death. That is an awsome responsibility. As a voter, compare the qualifications of the candidates in terms of
legal experience, life experience and character ... then please vote for the person you believe is most qualified.