Missouri - Judges, lawyers and court clerks thank the 75,181 Missourians who reported for jury duty in state courts in 2017 as part of Missouri’s Juror Appreciation Week held April 29 through May 5, 2018. During the week, court staff and legal professionals will emphasize to jurors how important their contributions are to our courts, communities and legal system.

 

2017-18 Missouri Bar President Morry Cole said it is important to keep in mind that the right to a jury trial is a constitutional promise.

 

“Maintaining the right to a trial by jury is fundamental to upholding our constitution and democracy. As lawyers and judges, we appreciate those who give their time to promote justice for all,” Cole said.

 

More than 50 courthouses throughout the state will observe the week in different ways. Many will display a poster provided by The Missouri Bar thanking jurors for doing their part. Judges also may take additional time to thank jurors and to acknowledge the significance of their service. Other activities include special ceremonies and official proclamations marking the event. Even more Missourians can join the celebration and share photos of their activities on social media using #ThankAJuror.

 

“Our resources are here to help court officials celebrate this important event,” Cole said. “Observing Juror Appreciation Week—with visual aids, a visit from a judge or otherwise—reminds Missourians that their jury service helps carry out the promises stated in our country’s Sixth and Seventh Amendments.”

 

Missouri is one of only a few states that hold a statewide Juror Appreciation Week. The observance began in 2000 by an order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, which states, “Each year thousands of Missourians perform one of the most significant civic duties granted to citizens -- they serve as fair and impartial jurors in communities throughout the state. To honor those citizens who have performed their civic duty, all Missouri courts are directed to observe Juror Appreciation Week…”

 

Visit the event webpage to learn more about Juror Appreciation Week or take a quiz to test your knowledge on jury service.

 

The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 30,000 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators and the citizens of Missouri. 

Dexter, Missouri - On Saturday, April 28th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the Dexter Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public an opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

"Bring your pills for disposal to the lobby of the Dexter Police Department at 305 Cooper Street, in Dexter. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked," commented Trevor Pulley.

Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Dexter MO: Local law enforcement recently joined agencies from six states across the area in a high visibility Drug Impaired Driving enforcement effort – “Driving High? Kiss Your License Goodbye!”. From April 20-April 22, area law enforcement officers participated in the area’s Six-State Drug Impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign. The effort was spearheaded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and State Highway Safety Offices in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Officers from city, state and county law enforcement agencies in these states conducted high visibility enforcement efforts to crack down on drug-impaired drivers. 

From April 20 – April 22, these officers covered approximately 32,318 miles of roadway in Missouri. With the strong presence of law enforcement, organizers put motorists on notice that if they drive impaired, they will be arrested. 

“This was an effort to keep drug impaired drivers off the road. Too many of our fellow citizens are impacted by drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Captain Trevor Pulley.   “Large scale mobilizations such as this one have had a positive impact on encouraging safe driving,” he/she said.

It is never safe to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. If you think driving while high won’t affect you, you are wrong; it has been proven that THC – the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects – slows reaction times, impairs cognitive performance and makes it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter what term is used, if a person is high, stoned, wasted or drunk, he or she is impaired. Driving while impaired by any substance is illegal and can be deadly to the driver and other road users. 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEATH OF BARBARA BUSH

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On this solemn day, we mourn the loss of Barbara Bush, an outstanding and memorable woman of character. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, military spouse, and former First Lady, Mrs. Bush was an advocate of the American family. Mrs. Bush lived a life that reminds us always to cherish our relationships with friends, family, and all acquaintances. In the spirit of the memory of Mrs. Bush, may we always remember to be kind to one another and to put the care of others first.

As a mark of respect for the memory of Barbara Bush, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Like drunk driving, drugged driving is impaired driving, which means it is illegal in all 50 States Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers and other road users. 

Between April 20 and April 22,  Dexter Police will join participating law enforcement from Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma in “Driving High? Kiss Your License Goodbye!”— a six-state Drug Impaired Driving enforcement campaign to put an end to drug impaired driving.

Law enforcement officers across the state will patrol approximately 32,318 miles of roadway. By concentrating law enforcement on high traffic corridors, organizers hope to put motorists on guard and encourage sober and safe driving.

Local Impact

“Drug impaired driving is a serious safety issue for drivers and law enforcement on Dexter’s roadways,” said Captain Trevor Pulley. “By intensifying enforcement of drug impaired driving laws, we hope people will think twice before driving while impaired by any drug. It is deadly for the driver, but also for his or her passengers, and for other people on the streets. If you are taking any type of drug, prescription, over-the-counter or illegal, make plans for a sober driver. Do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.“

Drug impairment effects on drivers

It is never safe to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. If you think driving while high won’t affect you, you are wrong; it has been proven that THC – the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects – slows reaction times, impairs cognitive performance and makes it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter what term is used, if a person is high, stoned, wasted or drunk, he or she is impaired. Driving while impaired by any substance is illegal and can be deadly to the driver and other road users. 

“Our goal is to save lives and we’re putting all drivers on alert – Drug impaired driving is against the law. Remember “Driving High? Kiss Your License Goodbye!” said Captain Pulley.

For more information on drug impaired driving, please visit http://trafficsafetymarketing.gov/.