4 January 2002

Judge John C. Holstein announced this morning that he would resign from the Supreme Court of Missouri effective March 1, 2002. Appointed to the Court in October 1989, he has served for more than 12 years. He served as chief justice from 1995 to 1997.

In response to the announcement, Chief Justice Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. said: "Judge Holstein is the only Missouri judge who has served at every level of the judiciary. He served more than 12 years in the trial courts, presiding over criminal cases ranging from traffic tickets to capital murder and civil cases ranging from small claims disputes to multimillion dollar personal injury claims. As a result of that wealth of experience, he brought to this Court a special insight on so many difficult legal issues, not only those involving the processing and trial of cases but also those involving substance of the law as well. Without fail, he served with honor and dignity, and with an abiding commitment to our system of justice. We will miss him, and we wish him well."

Judge Holstein has played an important role in the judicial history of this state. He brought to this Court a wealth of experience from every level of the state's judicial system, and he has served the judiciary with honor and dignity. We will miss him greatly, and we wish him all the best."

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