Kevin Kelly Touts Judge Experience in Election Bid

Name: Kevin Kelly

Florissant Patch: Tell us about your educational background.
Kevin Kelly: I graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic grade school in Florissant, Christian Brothers College High School, Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO, and received my law degree from Saint Louis University Law School. I am an alumnus of the National Judicial College in Reno, NV. I have attended the annual court conference, which provides judicial education specifically geared to municipal courts, of the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association for more than 30 years and have been a speaker at the conference more than a dozen times.

Patch: What can you tell us about your family?
Kelly: My father was Judge John J. Kelly, Jr., who served as municipal judge in the City of Florissant in the 1950s, later becoming a St. Louis County Circuit Judge and Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals judge. My mother is Constance Kelly, who recently turned 90 years old, has lived in Florissant for 57 years and was active in various charitable and civic organizations for many years. I have been married for 34 years to Patricia Kelly, a retired Hazelwood school teacher. We have two children, Kim Downes and John Kelly and two grandchildren. My brother, Tim Kelly, served as Florissant judge for 32 years before his death in June. I have one sister, Nancy Wolk, who is a retired teacher from McCluer North, a brother John J. Kelly III and a brother Brian Kelly.

Patch: Can you tell us about your current position?
Kelly: I am an attorney in the private practice of law. I currently serve as a part-time judge in Cool Valley, Hazelwood and Maryland Heights and serve as part-time prosecuting attorney for Dellwood. I am an executive board member of the St. Louis County Bar Association and a member of the board of directors of the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association, an association of more than 300 judges from the state of Missouri.

Patch: What made you decide to run for Florissant municipal court judge?
Kelly: I believe the job of municipal judge in the City of Florissant is a very important component of the municipal government. Florissant is the city in which I grew up and in which I have raised my family. I seek the position because I know I can do a great job and can assure the residents of Florissant that the court will be run in an efficient, effective and fair manner. Because of my experience, I will be able to immediately step in to maintain the integrity and honesty of our court and to serve the citizens of Florissant.

Patch: What would you do differently from late Judge Tim Kelly?
Kelly: Considering that the court in Florissant has been a model for many municipal courts, I’m not sure much needs to be changed. The court personnel are excellent and serve the city well. I would continue the attempts to encourage young offenders to become better citizens and to understand the consequences of their actions and to give them incentives to prevent them from committing new offenses. I also want to be sure the parents of our young adults are involved in the court process. I will review the court’s dockets to determine how best to expedite the handling of cases and to reduce the time a person spends in court.

Patch: What is your level of experience as it relates to the position?
Kelly: I have been a municipal judge and municipal prosecuting attorney for more than 30 years. I have served as municipal judge in Cool Valley for 23 years, in Maryland Heights for 16 years and in Hazelwood for eight years. I previously served as judge in Breckenridge Hills and Greendale. Also, I served as prosecuting attorney in the Village of Riverview and Breckenridge Hills. Prior to going into private practice, I was an assistant prosecuting attorney in St. Louis County and St. Charles County. I have presided over countless trials on charges ranging from minor traffic violations, to driving while intoxicated charges to cases arising from assaults, stealing allegations and offenses against police officers. I have tried a number of jury trials, both criminal and civil, and have argued cases in front of the Missouri Court of Appeals. In addition to serving as a judge and prosecuting attorney, I have represented clients who have been charged with offenses, thus giving me a perspective from all sides of the judicial system.

Patch: What sets you apart from your opponent, Dan Boyle?
Kelly: My experience sets me apart from my opponent. Sitting as a judge for many years, I have heard all types of cases, all types of excuses and have had the opportunity to observe a variety of people who have appeared before me. My knowledge of municipal laws and my participation in statewide judicial education provides me with a sound basis for making decisions while under pressure.  Having raised two children and having coached a number of youth sports teams, I understand the concerns of parents and the importance of fostering good relationships between the parents and their children.

Patch: What’s your top priority as Florissant municipal judge?
Kelly: My priority for the Florissant court is to treat all those who come to the court fairly, honestly and with respect, whether they appear before me as the judge or they have contact with court personnel outside of the courtroom. I will be sure the court is run in an efficient and effective manner and serves to protect the citizens of Florissant. 

Patch: How would you enhance the judicial system of Florissant?
Kelly: I will streamline procedures to better serve those people who have business before the court. I will review the minor violations that may be able to be resolved without a court appearance to allow for payment or other disposition of those matters outside of court. I plan on introducing a PowerPoint presentation, which will be run during each court session. I have this presentation in place in the other courts I serve. The PowerPoint informs the defendants of their rights in the municipal court as well as the procedures and what conduct is expected of them when they are in court. If necessary, I will consider additional court dockets to prevent persons who appear in court from having to spend several hours waiting to have their case heard.

Florissant Patch: Why should residents vote for you?
Kelly: My experiences as a municipal judge and prosecuting attorney for many years, my education as well as my active participation in the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association makes me uniquely qualified for the position of Florissant municipal judge. I will immediately be able to step into the job and be able to make wise decisions. I can assure that all citizens who appear before the court will receive a fair hearing. I will uphold my oath of office to serve the City of Florissant and its citizens.