Circuit Judge

2012

Judge Joan L. Moriarty was appointed to the 22nd Circuit Court in 1998. She graduated from Creighton University and received her law degree from the Saint Louis University School of Law.

Judge Moriarty has served in the civil trial, civil/criminal/equity, criminal assignment, civil/criminal trial divisions as well as on equity civil motions for the 22nd Circuit Court. She is a member of The Missouri Bar, Lawyers Association of St. Louis, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. She is also affiliated with Friends of Sheldon, St. Ambrose Parish, St. Ambrose School-Marketing, and the Central West End Association.

Judicial peers who responded to survey questions rated Judge Moriarty on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing “not at all” and 5 representing “completely.” She received her highest scores for: being prepared for hearings and trials (4.88); for issuing timely opinions and decisions (4.88); efficiently managing her docket (4.80); and is not affected by partisan considerations (4.78). Judge Moriarty’s lower scores were for: effectively using pre-trial procedure to narrow and define the issues (4.50); demonstrating appropriate demeanor on the bench (4.56); clearly explaining all oral decisions (4.57); and rulings on dispositive motions state reasons and consistently apply the substantive law (4.57).

The committee also reviewed survey responses submitted by attorneys who had trials before Judge Moriarty and rated Judge Moriarty on the same scale that her peers used. She received her highest scores for: maintains and requires proper order and decorum in the courtroom (4.08); treating people equally regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, or any other factor (3.95); demonstrates appropriate demeanor on the bench (3.93); and allows parties latitude to present their arguments (3.92). Judge Moriarty’s lower attorney survey scores were for: issues timely opinions/decisions (3.45); effectively managing her docket (3.65); is prepared for hearings and trials (3.72); and rulings on dispositive motions state reasons and consistently apply the substantive law (3.74).

The committee also reviewed survey responses submitted by jurors who were seated in jury trials before Judge Moriarty. Judge Moriarty never received an approval rating below 97 percent on any of the 10 categories she was rated on regarding her conduct throughout the jury trials.

The committee also reviewed opinions written by Judge Moriarty. Her opinions were well written and reasoned, with easy-to-follow explanations, competent in the law, and adhered closely to precedent as well as to constitutional and statutory law.