Patricia Breckenridge
Encyclopedia
Patricia Breckenridge is a Judge
on the Supreme Court of Missouri
. She was born in Nevada, Missouri
, and received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri
. Governor Kit Bond
appointed her as a judge
in Vernon County, Missouri in 1982. She was subsequently elected to the position three times. Attorney General John Ashcroft
appointed her to the Missouri Court of Appeals
in 1990, and she was retained twice in general elections.
Breckenridge was one of three candidates Missouri's Appellate Judicial Commission proposed to governor Matt Blunt
to replace retiring Judge Ronnie White
on the Missouri Supreme Court. Blunt expressed reservations about any candidate proposed by the Commission, but he favored Breckenridge over the two more liberal candidates and appointed her in September, 2007.
Her appointment was an important test for the Missouri Plan
for selecting judges, as even Breckenridge (and Blunt's decision to appoint her) had been criticized by conservative interest groups.
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the Supreme Court of Missouri
Supreme Court of Missouri
The Supreme Court of Missouri is the highest court in the state of Missouri. It was established in 1820, and is located in Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri voters have approved changes in the state's constitution to give the Supreme Court exclusive jurisdiction- the sole legal power to hear -...
. She was born in Nevada, Missouri
Nevada, Missouri
Nevada is a city in Vernon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 8,327 at the 2011 census. It is the county seat of Vernon County. Nevada is the home of Cottey College, a junior college for women operated by the P.E.O. Sisterhood....
, and received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. Governor Kit Bond
Kit Bond
Christopher Samuel "Kit" Bond is a former United States Senator from Missouri and a member of the Republican Party. First elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, he defeated Democrat Harriett Woods by a margin of 53%-47%. He was re-elected in 1992, 1998, and 2004...
appointed her as a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
in Vernon County, Missouri in 1982. She was subsequently elected to the position three times. Attorney General John Ashcroft
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
appointed her to the Missouri Court of Appeals
Missouri Court of Appeals
The Missouri Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state of Missouri. The court handles most of the appeals from the Missouri Circuit Courts. The court is divided into three districts: Eastern The Missouri Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state...
in 1990, and she was retained twice in general elections.
Breckenridge was one of three candidates Missouri's Appellate Judicial Commission proposed to governor Matt Blunt
Matt Blunt
Matthew Roy Blunt served as the 54th Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2009. Before his election as governor, Blunt served ten years in the United States Navy, was elected to serve in the Missouri General Assembly in 1998 and as Missouri's Secretary of State in 2000.A Republican, Blunt was elected...
to replace retiring Judge Ronnie White
Ronnie L. White
Ronnie L. White is a former Missouri Supreme Court judge and is currently a practicing attorney. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri....
on the Missouri Supreme Court. Blunt expressed reservations about any candidate proposed by the Commission, but he favored Breckenridge over the two more liberal candidates and appointed her in September, 2007.
Her appointment was an important test for the Missouri Plan
Missouri Plan
The Missouri Plan is a method for the selection of judges. It originated in Missouri in 1940, and has been adopted by several states of the United States...
for selecting judges, as even Breckenridge (and Blunt's decision to appoint her) had been criticized by conservative interest groups.
External links
- Kit Wagar (September 7, 2007). "Conservatives denounce governor’s pick for the Missouri Supreme Court". Kansas City Star.
- Rob Luke (September 10, 2007). "Gov. wanted another Roberts for Mo. SC, picks Breckenridge instead". Legal Newsline.
- Judge Patricia Breckenridge on the Missouri Supreme Court website