Division 10 judge candidates tout experience, bridging gaps in messages to voters

When Boone County voters go to the polls Aug. 2, they will have the opportunity to choose the next associate circuit Division 10 judge.

Unlike other contested county-level races in the primary, this one has no challenger from the opposing party in the November general election. Whichever Democratic candidate wins in August is primed to become the next family and juvenile court judge, though an independent candidate could still file a campaign petition through Aug. 1.

Either Democratic candidate would become the first Black judge for Boone County if elected. Candidates Angela Peterson and Kayla Jackson-Williams have not focused on this fact, however.

Peterson touts her 22 years of courtroom experience, focused in family law at both Mid-Missouri Legal Services and Columbia Family Law Group, as why she should be judge.

Jackson-Williams, an attorney with Rogers | Ehrhardt Attorneys at Law, sees herself as a way to bridge generational gaps of social and cultural understanding of the law.

More: Here's what candidates in contested Boone County races said about their goals for office

Angela Peterson

Peterson decided to run to "(ensure) fairness in the justice system for all litigants," she wrote in response to questions from the Tribune.

A majority of Peterson's career to date was spent at Mid-Missouri Legal Services. She served as its litigation director, the second in command. The organization focuses on providing free legal services to low-income and vulnerable individuals and families.

She highlighted her position on the Missouri Supreme Court Committee for Access to Family Courts as well as endorsements from Chris Kelly, former associate circuit judge and state representative, and longtime litigator Betty Wilson. Peterson also received the Boone County Bar Association's Outstanding Service Award last year.

Peterson wants people to have confidence in the justice system and by extension through her on the bench, where she will be "fair, impartial and ethical," she wrote.

As judge, Peterson wants to ensure the justice system is accessible and all people are working from a level playing field, she wrote.

When current Division 10 Judge Leslie Schneider retires, the community will have a void in a jurist with significant family law experience, Peterson wrote.

She wants to fill this void as the next judge.

"Because I have been in the courtroom and I have represented clients in family law cases for over two decades, I am uniquely qualified, experienced and ready to handle the Division 10 docket on day one," Peterson wrote.

Kayla Jackson-Williams

The Boone County Circuit Court needs a judge with a diverse background, Jackson-Williams wrote to the Tribune about her reason behind running.

She was born at the cross section of two generations (Gen X and millennials) and wants to be a bridge-builder in the community for how people relate to each other, she wrote.

"With a background in family, criminal and civil litigation, I have developed relationships with individuals in our community who are from all walks of life," she wrote. " ... We are bridge-builders that our community needs. This also enables me to easily relate to others, which in turn, allows them to be their authentic selves and share things they may not otherwise share.

"This is important in intimate settings such as the courtroom."

Part of being a judge is putting personal bias aside. Jackson-Williams said she is ready to do that to make sure any person who comes to the court is treated with dignity and respect.

If elected, Jackson-Williams wants to bring a program to Boone County that is available in Callaway County, the other county in the 13th Judicial Circuit. While Boone County has several treatment courts, Jackson-Williams also wants to incorporate a family treatment court here as well.

Jackson-Williams is ready to take on any docket assigned to Division 10, she wrote.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Boone County Division 10 judge candidates cite reasons for running