Former Missouri chief justice, 2025-26 Missouri Bar vice president present to students

Hon. Patricia Breckenridge, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri, along with Scott Robbins, 2025-26 Missouri Bar vice president, presented at Poplar Bluff High School Monday.

The presentation provided the opportunity for about 350 students in the junior government class to learn about the rule of law, impartiality in the legal system, and the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan.

“They’re going to become voters soon," Robbins told the Daily American Republic. "When they’re given the opportunity to vote for their judge on the county level, or to vote to retain judges on the court of appeals or on the Supreme Court of Missouri, we want them to have the information on why that’s important.”

Breckenridge and Robbins explained how the Non-Partisan Court Plan provides a more fair and transparent process, as it attracts high-quality judges in the least political way and ultimately gives the people the final say.

They also explained the importance of the rule of law. The courts uphold the rule of law and protect the rights, liberty, and safety of the people of Missouri, acting as a safeguard and giving citizens a voice.

This year Missouri lawyers and judges presented to more than 2,000 students for Constitution Day. Each year, The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section partners with the bar’s citizenship education department to connect these lawyers and judges with students.

Learn more about this year’s Constitution Day presentations and sign up to present to a class in 2026 here.