JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Supreme Court recently recognized the local circuit court for their efficiency in handling cases.

The 45th Judicial Circuit, encompassing Lincoln and Pike County, recently received the O’Toole Award during a semiannual meeting of the state’s presiding judges in Lake Ozark.

The local court, managed by Presiding Judge Jim Beck, was one of eight in the state to receive the award.

“Litigants, lawyers and the public expect our courts to resolve legal disputes promptly,” Chief Justice Mary Russell said. “We recognize the importance of each and every case to the people involved as well as the anxiety of waiting for a resolution. We developed time standards to help guide our courts and these awards recognize the hard work of everyone in the circuit to manage cases as efficiently as possible.”

Named for the late judge’s service as the first chair of the state judiciary’s time standards monitoring committee, the Daniel J. O’Toole Award recognizes circuit courts’ excellence in service and delivering timely justice to the public.

To qualify for this year’s award, the 45th circuit had an average clearance rate of 100 percent or higher, meaning it closed at least as many cases in fiscal year 2024 as were filed during that time frame.

It’s the second time the 45th circuit qualified for the award.

“This award is a testament to all the hard work put in by all our amazing staff in Lincoln and Pike Counties,” Beck said. “Litigants deserve to have their cases heard in a prompt and efficient manner, while safeguarding their rights. Our staff, working with our judges, makes that happen.”