KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- The Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce held the first ever “State of the Judiciary” address Friday.  It was part of "The Government In Focus" or T.G.I.F. series.  Speakers included Circuit Judge Russell Steele, Associate Circuit Judge Kristie Swaim, Circuit Clerk Linda Decker and Juvenile Services Administrator Matt Holt.

Judge Swaim gave the audience some insight into possible future endeavors for Missouri courts.

"As we speak technology continues to move forward and courts are trying to keep up with it.  It's an expensive task. It's a task that requires continual training and I don't know what exactly is around the corner, but I do know there are a lot of things that are being thrown out,"  Swaim said.

One improvement around the corner is video conferencing.  Swaim says that will cut down on travel and help keep judges in their home districts more often.

A question from State Representative Rebecca McClanahan gave Judge Steele a chance to share his opinion on the relationship between the judiciary and the legislature.

“The legislature seems to have the sense that anything they do should not be reviewed by the courts.  But, our job is to review laws.  We need to apply them, but we also have to determine if they're constitutional and if they're appropriate to apply,” Steele said.

Steele says that many times the legislature is unhappy after a judge has to undo a law, but that it is a part of being a judge.

Holt told the audience that his department is focused on the future.

"The legislature seems to have the sense that anything they do should not be reviewed by the courts.  But, our job is to review laws.  We need to apply them, but we also have to determine if they're constitutional and if they're appropriate to apply," Holt said.

Holt says the strategic plan will help juvenile services decide on expansion of the program.

The next T.G.I.F. series will be the "State of the City" in January.