Neighbors The Honorable H. Mark Preyer

H. Mark Preyer began practicing law in 1983 when he joined the law firm of Ford, Ford, Crow, and Reynolds (now Crow, Reynolds, Shetley, McVey, & Scherer.) Preyer a native of Malden, Missouri, was encouraged by a long time family friend, Wayne David Mitchell, to meet with Wendell Crow and Jim Reynolds as they had a very and respected law practice in Kennett. Preyer said the interview was short and he went to work quickly. He said "I believe the day I started I was at least two weeks behind."

Preyer worked with the firm for 14 years. "I feel like it is one of the best places for a young attorney to begin. The firm engaged in the general practice of law, and I had the opportunity to participate in civil cases, from both the plaintiff and defense side, as well as extensive work in a criminal practice and domestic relations as well as some general business law work," he said.

"I would hope every young lawyer would have the opportunity that I had to see the law practice from all sides. Further, when you are actually representing clients in a variety of areas, you have the opportunity for more referrals, which is the heart of any law practice," Preyer said.

Of course, there have been a lot of changes in the physical workings of the practice of law over the last 30 years. In the beginning, the secretarial staff had a difficult job. Word processors and laptops didn't exist and if the attorney made a mistake that needed a correction, the secretary often had to retype the entire document.

Preyer recalls the first work processing equipment that was purchased by the law firm in the mid-80s. "It truly was a dinosaur and was almost as big as one." However, there is one benefit of the old system," Preyer said. "We all wanted to get it right in the beginning so you wouldn't have to retype or redo the paperwork."

Preyer became a partner in the law firm in 1986 and worked there until 1997 when he was appointed by Governor Carnahan as Associate Circuit Judge. After losing a close election, Preyer opened his own practice in 1999 where he was engaged in the general practice of law until being elected in 2010 as Associate Circuit Judge, Division III, which handles a variety of work, including Probate and Juvenile cases.

When asked about the difference between this term and his first service in the judiciary, Preyer commented that with age comes a broader base of experience. "I believe experience of 27 years in the law practice will help me, as well as anyone, do a better job as a Judge. However it is a change from being an advocate for so long. After representing clients and strongly pushing for their positions in a courtroom, it is somewhat different when you are the "neutral magistrate." "A Judge must always be careful, in his words and actions, to not only remain fair and impartial and not make a decision until all of the evidence is presented, but to make sure that is not only the fact, but the perception to those involved in the system as well."

Preyer has implemented several new procedures and operations in the juvenile court system.

One Preyer has considered most beneficial is a monthly meeting with the superintendents of the seven school districts in Dunklin County during the school year.

"This really helps my office and the juvenile office stay current on what issues are arising in the school systems and opens a line of communication to make both our jobs and the superintendents jobs more efficient," Preyer noted. "This is something we will certainly continue in the future," Preyer said.

Another program implemented by Preyer involves the responsibility of parents for the actions of their children.

"When a juvenile damages property or causes personal injury, a parent can be made financially liable up to a maximum of $4,000.00 for the damages caused by the child. We have been very aggressive in pursuing judgements against parents for the acts of their children in an effort to encourage more responsibility and supervision," Preyer said.

Preyer has been strongly supportive of the Family Treatment Court Program. This program centers primarily on parents who have had their children removed because of the parents abuse of controlled substances.

This can include illegal substance such as methamphetamines and cocaine, but it also includes the abuse of prescriptions.

"This appears to be a growing problem not only in our area but in all parts of Missouri," Preyer said.

Other programs that Preyer has implemented in the juvenile system include a more extensive use of the Juvenile Detention Center in Bloomfield, Missouri, for juveniles under the age of 17 who commit acts that would be crimes if they were adults. However, the detention cost is expensive.

"It costs $45.00 for the taxpayers of Dunklin County to have a juvenile in detention," Preyer said. This is a key tool in the deterrent and rehabilitation process, Preyer has also looked for other ways to monitor juveniles who were involved in the system as delinquents.

Preyer has also implemented restitution work programs wherein the juvenile can do community service or can be required to work as direct restitution for a victim of the juvenile's delinquent act.

Particularly effective has been the use of ankle bracelet monitoring devices which are placed around the ankles of juveniles who are placed on probation. This is a strong discouragement for juveniles to continue to engage in criminal acts.

Preyer explained: "The ankle bracelets work off both cell telephone towers and the GPS system. It tells the supervising probation officer where the juvenile is located 24 hours a day, and can track his history of travel from the date the bracelet is installed. Thus, the juvenile knows if he considered engaging in criminal activity, the bracelet would show his location, and prove if they were part of the crime."

Preyer enjoys the opportunity to make a difference in the system. He gives credit to the work and experience of Tommy Campbell, Chief Deputy, Juvenile Officer, and to Mr. Campbell's staff. Preyer is associated by Sonya Lewis, Tonya Isbell, and Stephanie Estes in the Division III office.

"Quite frankly, I could not do this without their hard work, and I am sure this is true with any Judge in our State." Preyer said. Preyer also credits the Children's Division for all the hard work in investigating allegations of abuse and neglect to children as well as implementing a stronger foster home program in Dunklin County.

"The Children's Division workers and the foster parents are an integral part of our system, and without them, the children who suffer abuse and neglect would not be served," Preyer said.

Preyer, a life long resident of Dunklin County does plan to run for re-election in 2014. He lives in Kennett with his wife Amy. He has two children, Erin Preyer who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and Eric Preyer who lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Preyer also has three stepchildren who live in his home and whom he says "take up a lot of time" but keep him young and active." They are Jake, 14, Emma, 12, and Audrey, 9.

Preyer considers himself very fortunate in the opportunities he has had in life.

"My high school education in Malden and the 27 years practicing law in Kennett have provided me more opportunities for success than I could have imagined," he said.

"I was once told that the most important obligations that an individual has to his community is to make it better place when he leaves it than when he arrived. I recognize the opportunities I have were created by the efforts of individuals who lived in Dunklin County over the past years, who worked, paid taxes, and volunteered personal time to make the community, county, and state a success.

"I hope I am repaying at least some of the past work and contributing in some way to making that available for the next generation." Preyer said.