Technology has changed legal procedures, outgoing Cape Girardeau County circuit clerk says

When Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk Charles Hutson took office in 1975, Missouri state law was a five-volume set. Today it is 20 volumes.

Not only has the number of laws increased in more than 30 years, the circuit court's workload has as well. Through court consolidation, the circuit clerk now facilitates matters for criminal cases, civil cases and probate matters. His staff has grown to 21 employees in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau courthouses, and he has judges in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties.

In addition to the change in workload and responsibilities, Hutson has also seen how technology has reinvented legal proceedings. He said perhaps one of the biggest changes is in jury selection, now selected by a computer from databases such as driver's license records and voter registrations lists.

"Before that we had to go through the list of registered voters and we would write down every sixth name on an index card and put it in a wheel and pull our jury from that," he said.

Hutson has also implemented changes of his own during his time in office, including putting a sound system in the courtrooms in Jackson.

"Most of my judges use it," he said. "People that come in the courtroom, they can hear what's being said. A mom or dad, if their son or daughter has been involved in something, they can hear what's being said. If we have victims that come into court and they're sitting in the back of the courtroom, they can hear maybe an admission of guilt in a case involving themselves or their property."

Hutson said he has enjoyed his tenure and is proud of the work his staff has done. The office received the Daniel J. O'Toole Award from the Missouri Supreme Court for the efficient filing and disposition of cases in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

"I have a wonderful staff," he said. "I have a dedicated, dedicated staff. I have hired some really good people."

After decades in public office, Hutson said, he is looking forward to retirement but has plenty to keep him from being bored. He plans on working on the family farm, hunting, fishing, golfing, camping and volunteering. He also said he plans to spoil his two grandchildren, Jack and Kate.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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