Missouri Supreme Court takes over cases in Ferguson; judge resigns
FERGUSON The Missouri Supreme Court announced Monday that it will take the extraordinary action of reassigning all Ferguson municipal court cases to the circuit court, starting next week.
In a news release, the court announced the move was intended to help restore public trust and confidence in the Ferguson municipal court division.
Ferguson municipal Judge Ronald J. Brockmeyer resigned his position Monday afternoon. Dellwood Mayor Reggie Jones said Brockmeyer also resigned Monday as prosecutor there.
Fulk said Brockmeyers resignation was intended to help restore public confidence and to help Ferguson begin its healing process.
Brockmeyer was criticized in the Justice Department report for acting as a revenue generator for the court and the city, helping to bring in millions through creative use of fines and fees, while dismissing tickets for himself and friends. The report also rapped him for instilling fear in traffic defendants, even jailing one for 10 days because the man refused to answer questions in court.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/missouri-supreme-court-takes-over-cases-in-ferguson-judge-resigns/article_7442c873-a1a1-581f-b4b4-20f93972d91e.html