Circuit Judge

2010

Judge Alexander was appointed to the circuit court of the 7th Judicial Circuit on August 6, 2008. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.A. in history in 1990. He served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy from 1990 to 1994. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1997. He served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Buchanan County from 1997 to 1999. He was assistant prosecuting attorney in Clay County from 1999 to 2004. He was the chief assistant prosecuting attorney in Clay County from 2004 to 2008. He has served as municipal judge for the City of Excelsior Springs from 2004 through 2008. He was also the municipal prosecutor for the City of Smithville from 2006 to 2008.

Judge Alexander describes the cases he works on as being mainly criminal cases, with some civil and domestic issues. He also presides over the Clay County Grand Jury when it is in session, and presides over the Clay County Drug Court.

Attorneys who responded to survey questions rated Judge Alexander on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing “not at all” and 5 representing “completely.” In the attorney survey responses, Judge Alexander received his highest scores for: maintaining and requiring proper order and decorum in the courtroom (4.65); demonstrating appropriate demeanor on bench (4.46); and treating people equally regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, or any other factor (4.41). Judge Alexander’s lower scores were for being prepared for hearings and trials (4.33); allowing parties latitude to present their arguments (4.33); issuing timely opinions/decisions (4.24); basing decisions on evidence and arguments (4.19); efficiently managing his docket (4.15); and writing opinions and orders which are clear (4.17).

The committee also reviewed survey responses submitted by jurors who were seated in jury trials before Judge Alexander. Judge Alexander received unanimously favorable responses from the jurors on questions relating to 10 separate criteria regarding his conduct throughout the jury trials.

The committee received no public comments about Judge Alexander.

The committee observed Judge Alexander as he conducted public hearings. The observations of Judge Alexander by the Committee members were considered in reaching the committee’s recommendation below.

The committee also reviewed a written opinion submitted by Judge Alexander in which he ruled on a civil case dispute in which a party had sought an injunction. The committee found the opinion to be well written and the judge’s opinion to be clearly stated.