Two newcomers are seeking the associate circuit judge Division 10 position after Jeffrey Coleman withdrew his name by court order to run for a circuit position that was vacated by Ed Page.
Lucas Null of Arnold is running as a Republican while Colby Smith-Hynes is running as a Libertarian. Smith-Hynes ran unsuccessfully in the August primary for the Division 12 associate circuit judge seat.
Associate circuit judges serve four-year terms and are paid approximately $167,833.
Null, 41, of Arnold has practiced law for 13 years and owns the Null Law Firm, LLC, which opened in Hillsboro in 2020. His practice primarily consists of serving as guardian ad litem in juvenile abuse and neglect cases and domestic matters, as well as representing individuals, families and businesses in civil, domestic, probate, criminal and juvenile matters. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 2007 and his juris doctor from St. Louis University in 2014. He has coached youth sports for about 20 years and currently serves on the Athletic Association Board at St. Joseph in Imperial as the baseball director. He’s held the position since 2014. At St. Joseph, he has served as co-chair of the Auction Committee since 2021 and previously served as the chair of the Pastoral Counsel from 2018-2024. He has served on the St. Pius X High School Board of Directors since 2018 and has served as chair since 2022. He’s a member of the Jefferson County Bar Association. His wife is Jessica, and they have six children.
Smith-Hynes, 56, of Hillsboro is the deputy director of legal services for the Jefferson County Juvenile Office. He has practiced law in Missouri since 1999, including civil, criminal, governmental, administrative and trial practice. He earned a bachelor’s degree in socio-political communications in 1996 from Missouri State University in Springfield and a juris doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law in Kansas City in 1999. While in school, he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and received the Judge H. Michael Coburn Legal Advocacy Award and scholarship. He was a member of The Order of Barristers, competed on the UMKC National and Regional Trial competition team, received the UMKC American Bar Association National Trial Competition Award, competed on the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers National Trial Competition Team, and served as an Honor Court associate justice. Since 2006, he has served as the municipal judge for Byrnes Mill. From 2007-2020, he was the municipal judge for Hillsboro and from 2004-2024, he was the provisional municipal judge for Herculaneum. He has been the municipal judge for Pevely since 2022. He has been a member of the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association since 2004, having served on the Board of Directors for six years. He is a member of the Missouri Bar and the Jefferson County Bar Association, having served as president from 2008-2010. He is a member of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, serving on the Board of Directors since 2022. He is a member of the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.
Why should voters elect you, and what are your goals if elected?
Null: I want to serve my community. Jefferson County deserves a judge who is fair, impartial, prepared and willing to listen to every person who comes before the court. I have more than 12 years of legal experience, including extensive experience in Jefferson County and the associate circuit court as a guardian ad litem and court-appointed attorney. This experience has given me an intimate understanding of the associate circuit court and the community it serves. My goal is to treat everyone who enters my courtroom with dignity and respect, while applying the law fairly and independently. I will also strive to maintain an organized and efficient courtroom so cases can be resolved fairly and without unnecessary delay. Above all, I want to earn the trust of the people I serve.
Smith-Hynes: Voters should elect a judge based upon experience, qualifications, temperament and a demonstrated commitment to the judicial process. Judicial elections shouldn’t be partisan, as judges take an oath of impartiality. I’ve practiced law since 1999 and have extensive courtroom experience as a trial attorney, prosecutor, defense attorney and municipal judge. I’ve served as a municipal judge in Jefferson County for more than 22 years and currently serve as deputy director of legal services for the Jefferson County Juvenile Office. My goal as associate circuit judge is to faithfully apply the law, protect constitutional rights and due process, and ensure that every person who comes before the court is treated fairly, respectfully and impartially.
How would you define your role as an Associate Circuit Judge?
Null: My role as an associate circuit judge would be to serve as a fair, impartial and independent decision-maker for everyone who comes into my courtroom and to apply the law to the facts of each case. For each case, I would come prepared, listen carefully, ensure that every person has a fair opportunity to be heard, and make decisions based on the law. I also believe a judge must maintain a respectful, organized and efficient courtroom. Those appearing in my courtroom will likely be dealing with some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives. They deserve to be treated with dignity, patience and respect. My experience representing the best interests of children and other vulnerable parties has given me an appreciation for the different perspectives that come before a court.
Smith-Hynes: The role of an associate circuit judge is to serve as an impartial and independent administrator of justice. A judge must apply the law fairly and consistently, protect the constitutional rights of every person appearing before the court and ensure that every litigant has a meaningful opportunity to be heard. The courtroom belongs to the people, and every person who enters it deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. A judge must understand the seriousness of the decisions being made. My experience as a municipal judge, trial attorney, prosecutor, defense attorney and legal administrator has given me a broad understanding of the judicial process from multiple perspectives. I would bring that experience to the associate circuit court while remaining committed to the principle that the law – not politics, personal preference or party affiliation – must guide every decision.
