GRIMM TO SEEK SECOND TERM AS CIRUCIT JUDGE

Circuit Judge John Grimm plans to seek re-election to a second, six-year term.

Grimm, a Cape Girardeau Democrat, announced his candidacy Monday.

He has served as a circuit judge in the 32nd Judicial District since he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Judge A.J. Seier in 1993.

In 1994, voters elected Grimm to a six-year term. The term expires at the end of the year. The judicial circuit includes Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties.

"The voters in our circuit placed a lot of faith in me when I was elected in 1994," he said. "I have done my best to continue to earn their faith and trust."

Grimm said the circuit has been recognized as the best in the state for concluding cases in a timely manner.

The Missouri Supreme Court recently honored the judicial circuit with the Daniel O'Toole Award for meeting the high court's guidelines for disposition of cases.

"I have always felt that justice delayed is justice denied," said Grimm. "The judges and attorneys in our area have cooperated to move cases through the court system quickly and efficiently."

In addition to his regular caseload, Grimm has presided over murder trials and civil cases in other jurisdictions in the state.

Grimm serves on the Supreme Court's Judicial Records Committee. The group is working to standardize court forms and procedures throughout the state.

Grimm said he has been a big supporter of mediation throughout the state as a way to resolve cases, particularly those involving domestic relations.

"We have discovered that many divorce and custody issues can be resolved when the parties sit down with a trained mediator to discuss their differences," he said. "It really benefits children when parents are able to resolve their disputes outside of the courtroom."

The Missouri Supreme Court recently appointed Grimm to serve on the Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution in Domestic Relations Cases.