Associate Circuit Judge

2014

Judge Twila K. Rigby was appointed as associate circuit judge for the 16^th Judicial Circuit in 1997. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Southwest Missouri State in 1975. After teaching school for nine years, Judge Rigby went to law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she received her Juris Doctor in 1987.

The committee evaluated Judge Rigby based on the results of ratings and comments submitted by attorneys who have appeared in Judge Rigby’s courtroom. The results of those ratings and comments are reviewed and discussed below.

Attorneys who responded to survey questions rated Judge Rigby on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 representing a response of “Strongly Disagree” and 5 representing “Strongly Agree.” She received her highest scores for: maintaining a professional demeanor in the courtroom (4.63); addressing individuals (e.g., attorneys, court staff, litigants, public, witnesses) respectfully in the courtroom (4.63); and treating the parties equally (4.58). She received her lower scores for: rulings cited the applicable substantive law (4.19); assisting parties in narrowing key issues in dispute (4.17); and starting courtroom proceedings on time (4.04). It should be noted that Judge Rigby’s lower scores were well above the level supporting retention.

Because Judge Rigby does not conduct jury trials as a part of her position as associate circuit judge, no juror responses are available.