Richardson is new Circuit Judge

Peggy D. Richardson is the newly appointed to 26th Judicial Circuit
Peggy D. Richardson is the newly appointed to 26th Judicial Circuit

The new circuit judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit is a person familiar to those in Moniteau County - Associate Circuit Judge Peggy D. Richardson.
The announcement of the appointment of Judge Richardson was Wednesday, Nov. 9, by Gov. Jay Nixon. The new position of a third judge for the 26th Judicial Circuit to cover Moniteau, Camden, Laclede, Miller and Morgan counties was created by Senate Bill 578. The bill was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor. That law took effect Aug. 28, allowing her to begin in her new position immediately. When Richardson begins her new duties, Nixon can appoint someone to fill the associate judge position.
"Judge Richardson's many years of experience, from private practice to assistant prosecuting attorney to associate circuit judge, will serve the people of the 26th Circuit well in her new role," Gov. Nixon said. "I thank Judge Richardson for continuing her commitment to public service and for her ongoing dedication to our justice system as she takes the bench as a circuit judge of the 26th Judicial Circuit."
Richardson indicated that this new appointment comes at a good time.
"I was not planning to run again (for associate judge)," Richardson said. "I intended to look for something different to do." In this instance, she didn't have to look. Something different came looking for her.
The appointment by law is for a four-year term, with an election for a regular circuit judge six-year term in 2020. Richardson has been associate circuit judge for Moniteau County since 1998. Prior to being elected associate judge, she was assistant prosecuting attorney for Morgan County. She also served as municipal judge for Clarksburg, Jamestown, Smithton and Tipton.