Judges play an essential role in our community and government. They are asked to interpret agreements, interpret the law, determine conflicting interests in property, discern whose testimony is the most credible, determine whether a person charged with a crime should remain in the public while they await their trial and on what conditions, determine if a person convicted of a crime should be granted probation or sentenced to incarceration, etc. They are required to remain independent, resolving the conflicts brought before them on the basis of the facts and law, and to not be persuaded by politics.
In Jefferson County, MO., there are several judicial races in 2016 to determine who will be elected by the voters as Judges of the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, and thereby assume the responsibilities of a Judge. In two of those races, Divisions 3 and 5, one of the candidates in each is the current judge of that division. Each of these judges has many years of experience and has proven that they are well qualified and capable of satisfying the duties of the position. We would like to discuss each, separately.
The Thurman Law Firm is proud to support Judge Nathan Stewart for re-election as Judge of Division 3 of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. Judge Stewart has been a member of the Jefferson County Judiciary since 1999, and has established a reputation for fairness to each of the parties who have come before him.
Judge Stewart has been a resident of Jefferson County all of his life. He was raised in Hillsboro and graduated from Hillsboro High School. Following graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree in 1988 and his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1992, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia, he began his private practice of law in Hillsboro, Missouri. His practice consisted of general civil law and criminal law.
In 1999 Judge Stewart was appointed as the Family Court Commissioner for the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. “As a Family Court Commissioner Judge Stewart heard and decided cases involving dissolution of marriage and modifications relating to child support, child custody and child visitation, and he established a reputation for fairness”, reported David P. Senkel, a partner at the Thurman Law Firm who has concentrated a large part of his practice of law in the area of family law. In January 2005 Judge Stewart was appointed as an Associate Circuit Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. In 2010 he was elected by the voters of Jefferson County as the Circuit Court Judge of Division 3 of the 23rd Judicial Circuit.
As a judge, Judge Stewart has heard thousands of civil and criminal law matters. “Judge Stewart extends courtesies to all parties and attorneys that come before him, allowing them a reasonable opportunity to present their evidence, argument and law’, states Stephen M. Vighi, a partner at the Thurman Law Firm who concentrates a large part of his practice in criminal law. Each case has been decided by him based on the facts presented, and the applicable law.
Judge Stewart has also been active in the community. He is happy to speak to groups or organizations about the law or the role of the judiciary in general, and has spoken to many. He has been involved with the Truancy Court at Hillsboro R-3 School District for eleven years, working with the youth at the Hillsboro Jr. High and Hillsboro Intermediate Schools. He is a member of various organizations that provide public services, including the Hillsboro Civic Center, Sons of Amvets Post 48, and De Soto Elks.
Judge Nathan B. Stewart
“Judge Stewart has established a reputation in Jefferson County and the State of Missouri as being a considerate, fair and thorough judge, and a valuable asset to the Circuit Court of Jefferson County”, states Floyd T. Norrick, a partner of the Thurman Law Firm who has represented various clients with business and real estate legal issues that were heard and decided by Judge Stewart.
Because of his reputation and experience, we encourage the voters of Jefferson County on November 8, 2016 to vote for and re-elect Judge Nathan Stewart as Judge of Division 3 of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County.
