A rural judge in Missouri presides over legal matters covering multiple small towns or counties. Due to the limited number of courts and legal professionals in rural regions, these judges handle a wide range of cases, including criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. They have to be on their toes. The crucial role of rural judges ensures access to justice for our communities. Otherwise, it would be awful to travel long distances or face other hardships to reach a courthouse, which is not a fun place. Our judges must be resourceful and adaptable, addressing unique challenges while maintaining fairness and upholding the law. But what makes a judge tic? Recently, we met up with a judge at Elephant Rocks State Park to ask that very question.
573: Tell us about you and your family.
My name is Brice Sechrest. My grandparents moved to Flat River (now Park Hills) about 70 years ago when my granddad took a football and basketball coaching job at Flat River High School. They fell in love with the community and especially the college, which was Flat River Junior College at the time. When the college became Mineral Area College, my grandad, Bob Sechrest, became the first basketball coach for the college. My grandmother, Eileen Sechrest, was an elementary school teacher and administrator in the North County School District.
My parents Bob Sechrest, Jr. and Mary Sechrest were local school teachers before starting their own businesses. When I was growing up, they were always involved in the community with the local school, sports programs, church, scouts, and other community organizations. My brother, Lance Sechrest, and my sister, Jill Wagner, both live in the Park Hills area with their families and run the businesses my parents started.
I graduated from Central High School in Park Hills and went to MAC and earned an Associate Degree. Then I went to Southeast Missouri State University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree. I earned my Juris Doctor from the Law School at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and passed the Missouri Bar in 2007.
After law school, I moved back to Park Hills and practiced law at my firm Williams & Sechrest for more than 12 years before becoming a judge. In 2021, I was appointed as associate Circuit Judge for St. Francois County and was elected to the same position in 2022. I was recently appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to the Family Court Committee, which helps set court rules and policy regarding the Family and Juvenile Courts throughout the State of Missouri.
Brice between some big rocks at Elephant Rocks State Park. It's great fun to climb around on the big rocks.
573: What do you do for fun?
I love spending time outdoors. My favorite activity is hiking, especially out West in the Colorado mountains or Arizona desert. We have a lot of great parks and outdoor areas for hiking in this area of Missouri, too, which is where I spend a lot of my time. I also like rock climbing, although I’m not especially good at it. I first tried rock climbing a couple years ago and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. There are several good places for rock climbing in our community and within a few hours drive, so I try to go whenever I have time and people to go with. Other than that, I enjoy cooking, trying new restaurants, and low-key visits with friends and family.
573: What got you into law?
I had a professor at MAC, Dr. Jon Cozean, that suggested I should become a lawyer, but I had no interest in being a lawyer at that time. A few years later, though, when I was trying to figure out what to do after graduating from college, his suggestion had stuck with me. I loved the challenge of law school and decided to give it a shot. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
As a lawyer, I represented people in almost every type of case, from misdemeanor criminal cases to felony jury trials, every type of family law case, estate planning, probate, and civil litigation. I loved that I was able to help people as an attorney. One of the most meaningful things I did was represent children as Guardian ad Litem in the Juvenile Court system. These were children taken into care of the Children’s Division because of abuse or neglect. Through that work, I saw the struggles that many of the families are facing in our community.
The rocks have created formations that intrigue geologists, are popular with history buffs interested in the past quarrying, and fascinate children who love to climb on and between the boulders.
I first tried rock climbing a couple years ago and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
573: What makes a good judge?
A judge should always be fair and impartial, uphold the Constitution, and follow the law. I am continuously studying the law, reading court decisions from the Missouri Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals, reading decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, and reviewing changes to the law that come from Jefferson City. It is important for a judge to have a background of experience in the court system before taking the bench. One of the most common complaints about the court system is how long it takes to resolve a case. Some cases just take a long time, and everyone in court should have the opportunity to have their cases fully presented, but an experienced judge can help keep cases from lingering any longer than necessary. I try to keep the cases in my court moving efficiently and bring them to resolution. I also strive to treat everyone that comes into my courtroom with courtesy and respect. Being in court is rarely a pleasant experience, and neither attorneys nor litigants need the judge to make it unnecessarily difficult.
I also think its important for a judge to stay connected with the community he serves. Judges are limited in the ways we can be involved in the community… we obviously don’t want to abuse the authority of the office or do anything that could cause the appearance of impartiality. But every decision I make affects people in my community. And more than anything, I want to help make my community a better place through my work in the courts.
The Elephant Rocks, which were formed from 1.5-billion-year-old granite, are giant boulders that stand end-to-end like a train of circus elephants.
573: Is it possible to get a fair trial in a small town?
You can absolutely get a fair trial in a small town. A defendant in a criminal case is guaranteed the right to trial by jury. We have rules and procedures in place to ensure that every court and jury is impartial, and it can be beneficial for everyone involved to have a jury that is from the local community. In my experience, citizens in the local community take their obligations as jurors very seriously, and they work hard to follow the law and make decisions about the facts in every case.
573: Any advice for aspiring lawyers?
Anyone aspiring to become a lawyer should study hard and keep good grades through college. Many lawyers major in political science or criminal justice, but you can go to law school with an undergraduate degree in any major, so focus on an area that interests you. Try to take classes that involve a lot of reading and writing, but also take classes in mathematics and sciences that help develop skills in logic and critical thinking. And don’t neglect hobbies or other activities that interest you. Being a lawyer requires a lot of time and hard work and can be very stressful, so it is important to have other outlets to stay physically and mentally healthy.
The rocks are littered with carving from the mid to late 19th century. Lots of fun reading the names and dates.
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