Ballot language: Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to provide that the administration of justice shall include the levying of costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for certain current and former law enforcement personnel?

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys to ensure all Missourians have access to the courts of justice.

Amendment 6 supports the resumption of a $3 court fee that was established in state statue in 1983 for the creation of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System. This is NOT a new tax or levy. It is simply a court fee for those who are found guilty of a crime in the state of Missouri.

In 2015, a lawsuit was brought against the retirement system stating the $3 court fee was unconstitutional. The lawyer was able to establish a class action lawsuit in the process. We lost the case in the lower court but won the appeal. The plaintiffs appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court, and we lost. The opinion stated that the retired sheriffs had nothing to do with the administration of justice, and therefore the fee was unconstitutional.

After the loss, we asked the legislature to let the people define the administration of justice as salary and benefits for sheriffs, prosecutors, and retired sheriffs and prosecutors. If they agree, we will be able to again collect the $3 that has been in state statute since 1983 and has fully funded our retirement system.