By Debbie Robinson
NEOSHO, Mo -- The Newton County prosecuting attorney has filed
a felony charge against a candidate for associate circuit judge,
citing the candidate's alleged ineligibility for the position.
Richard J. Doyle, 420 Morrow St., filed for the position of
associate circuit judge of Newton County Circuit Court on March
27 on the Libertarian Party ballot.
Greg Bridges, prosecuting attorney, said Doyle is not a
lawyer, and the Missouri Constitution requires that elected
circuit judges be licensed to practice law in the state of
Missouri.
On Wednesday, Doyle said he had not as yet been notified of
the charge, but that he views the action as "political coercion"
and that he now does not have any intention of withdrawing his
candidacy.
"I haven't broken any laws," he said.
He said the state constituion's requirement that candidates
for judgeships be lawyers is "unconstitutional," that it
"violates the ideals of a republican form of government."
In a letter to Bridges, Doyle said the "will of the people
was unchallengeable."
Kay Baum, county clerk, said Doyle filed an affidavit when
he registered his candidacy citing he would be qualified for
the position if elected.
Bridges said he notified Doyle in a letter on April 2 that
that he was not qualified for the position and asked him to
withdraw his candidacy.
He said he advised him to seek legal counsel and gave Doyle
10 days to withdraw.
Doyle said in the letter that he met the age and residency
requirements for the job.
Greg Stremel, the incumbent associate judge, has filed for
re-election on the Republican ballot. He is unopposed in the
Aug. 4 primary election.
Doyle is the only other candidate to file for the position.
Bridges said he issued an opinion to the county clerk
before Doyle filed for the position, and that Doyle was aware
of the requirement that judges be licensed lawyers.
He said the county clerk's office allowed Doyle to file
because the law does not allow the clerk to prohibit anyone
from filing.
The burden of proof is on the candidate to know the
qualifications of the office, he said.
The maximum penalty for violating the election law is
five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Globe Staff Writer
Page 2C, The Joplin Globe, Thursday, April 30, 1998