John M. Torrence
John M. Torrence was a judge for Division 14 of the Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Court. He assumed office in 2001. He left office on August 1, 2024.
Torrence ran for re-election for the Division 14 judge of the Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Court. He won in the retention election on November 3, 2020.
Torrence was appointed to this position by Governor Bob Holden in July 2001.[1][2]
Education
Torrence received his undergraduate degree from St. Louis University in 1979 and his J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law in 1982.[2]
Career
- 2001-2024: Judge, 16th Circuit Court
- 1993-2001: Partner, Hubbell, Sawyer, Peak, O'Neal & Napier
- 1988-1993: Attorney, Torrence and Wee
- 1982-1988: Assistant public defender, Jackson County[2][1]
Awards and associations
- Member, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church
- Recipient, ASTAR (Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource) award[2][3]
Elections
2020
Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Court Division 14, Torrence's seat
John M. Torrence was retained to Division 14 of the Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Court on November 3, 2020 with 64.4% of the vote.
Retention Vote |
% |
Votes |
|||
| ✔ | Yes |
64.4
|
183,757 | ||
No |
35.6
|
101,675 | |||
Total Votes |
285,432 | ||||
|
|
2014
Torrence was retained to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court with 63.7 percent of the vote on November 4, 2014. [4]
Performance evaluation
The 16th Circuit Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee recommended that Judge Torrence be Retained. Click here to read the full performance evaluation.
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John M. Torrence did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Noteworthy cases
In 2009, Judge Torrence sentenced an admitted child molester to five years of probation in lieu of a ten year prison sentence. The man had confessed to 3 of 14 felony charges stemming from continued abuse of a child from age 5 through at least age 12. If the defendant violates probation, he will serve his prison sentence. Despite the controversy created by the decision, Torrence refused to comment on the case.[5]
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Missouri 16th Judicial Circuit Court, "Biography: John M. Torrence," accessed September 1, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Missouri Secretary of State, "Missouri Circuit Court Judges," accessed September 1, 2013
- ↑ 16thcircuit.org, "SUPREME COURT TO RECOGNIZE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FOR HOLDING TIMELY CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT HEARINGS AND TO PRESENT ASTAR AWARD TO TWO LOCAL JUDGES," January 15, 2010
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "2014 General Election candidates"
- ↑ The Blue Springs Examiner, "Man gets five years probation on child molestation charges," September 16, 2009
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri
State courts:
Missouri Supreme Court • Missouri Court of Appeals • Missouri Circuit Courts • Missouri Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Missouri • Missouri judicial elections • Judicial selection in Missouri
