Tommy W. DePriest, Jr.

Background
Judge DePriest was appointed to the 21st Judicial Circuit bench as a circuit court judge in 2000.  He graduated with a degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University and received his juris doctorate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. 

Before his appointment to the circuit bench, Judge DePriest served as assistant prosecuting attorney of St. Louis County and the municipal judge of the City of Frontenac.  Judge DePriest served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971.  His community activities include St. Louis County Family and Domestic Violence Council, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and serving as a volunteer for the St. Louis County Family Court Adoption Saturdays.  Judge DePriest is a member of The Missouri Bar, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, The St. Louis County Bar Association, and the Lawyers’ Association of St. Louis.

Discussion
Judge DePriest received universally high markings from the attorneys who responded to the survey.  His marks were particularly high in the areas of treating people fairly regardless of background, fairness and impartiality, judicial demeanor, and allowing litigants to fully present their arguments. Judge DePriest has very high marks across the board, with only slightly lower ratings for legal competency and use of pre-trial procedure to narrow issues.

Since Judge DePriest has been serving in family court and juvenile court, he did not have recent juror surveys for review.

The committee also reviewed written opinions of Judge DePriest which were clear, concise, well-written, and consistent with the applicable law cited therein.

Recommendation
The 21st Judicial Circuit Performance Evaluation Committee recommends that Judge Tommy W. DePriest, Jr. BE RETAINED.

Lawyer Survey Results