Associate Circuit Judge

2014

Judge Mary Elizabeth Ott was appointed an associate circuit judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit in May 2008 and retained by voters in 2010. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Saint Mary’s College and her law degree from Saint Louis University.

Since 2010, Judge Ott has handled criminal, domestic, and civil associate circuit cases.  She is an active member of the St. Louis County Bar Association and the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Judges. Her volunteer activities include participating in the Rosati House Casserole Program and the Immacolata Catholic Church.

Attorneys who responded to survey questions rated Judge Ott on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing “Strongly Disagree” and 5 representing “Strongly Agree.”

She received her highest scores for: maintaining a professional demeanor in the court room (4.61); addressing individuals appropriately in court (4.61); adhering to appropriate rules of procedure (4.45); and treating parties equally (4.45). Her lower scores were for: considering the amount of case law required to make the decision and promptness in rendering a decision (3.71); making decisions that logically follow the evidence presented (4.09); citing applicable substantive law (4.09); and assisting parties in narrowing issues (4.06).

The committee also reviewed survey responses submitted by jurors who were seated in jury trials before Judge Ott. Judge Ott received unanimously favorable responses from the jurors in questions relating to 10 separate criteria that evaluate her conduct throughout jury trials.

The committee has also reviewed three written opinions submitted by Judge Ott dealing with unpaid property taxes and domestic relations. The committee found the opinions were well-reasoned, clearly written, and faithful to applicable Missouri law.