(LISTEN): Judge Hasbrouck Jacobs appears on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable”

939 the Eagle host Fred Parry took an extensive look this weekend at mid-Missouri’s 13th judicial circuit on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” His guest was 13th judicial circuit presiding judge Brouck Jacobs. The 13th circuit includes Boone and Callaway counties. Mr. Jacobs was appointed to the bench in 2017 by then-Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, before winning a six-year term in 2018. Judge Jacobs, a Republican, is unopposed this fall for a new six-year term. Brouck Jacobs grew up in Orlando and graduated from the University of Florida with a history degree. He earned his law degree from Florida A&M in Orlando. Mr. Jacobs’ dad was a judge and later an Episcopal priest and his grandfather was a judge in Florida for 40 years. Mr. Jacobs met his wife in Orlando when she was looking at a hospital for residency. His wife, who’s from northeast Missouri’s Pike County, is now a physician in Columbia. One of the main issues Fred and Judge Jacobs discussed on the program was the size and scope of the circuit. There are 12 judges and commissioners in the circuit between the two counties. Another topic Fred focused on was bail. Judge Jacobs tells listeners that judges look at Missouri Supreme Court rules and the U.S. Constitution, noting the 8th Amendment prohibits excessive bail. But Judge Jacobs notes judges can order a defendant to be jailed without bond until trial by considering the defendant to be a danger to the community. He tells listeners that it happens all the time. Mr. Parry and Judge Jacobs also discussed caseloads for the Boone County prosecutor’s office and for the public defender’s office, as well as the dynamics of Columbia’s growing homeless population and its interaction with the criminal justice system. They also discussed alternative courts in Boone County, such as the drug and veterans courts: