Judicial realignment underway in 33rd District

Standard Democrat

A new judge for Scott County juveniles is another part of a larger reorganization going on in the 33rd Judicial Circuit Court. Judge Rob Barker began hearing juvenile cases in Mississippi County in January upon taking office in the district as an associate circuit judge. Since taking the bench, Barker already has heard juvenile cases from Mississippi County but in August will begin handling those from Scott County as well. This reassignment has been in the planning stage for a while. Since they are heading toward a family court, Judge Barker will be handling the juvenile cases for both counties. It will be about 16 months before family court is established, but once it is, Juvenile court will be a subdivision of the Family Court. Dolan says he will take over processing the habeas corpus filings from the Southeast Correction Center in Charleston. In addition to forming family court, the change will improve efficiency in the 33rd Circuit.