The 25th Judicial Circuit will receive an award for successfully holding timely hearings during fiscal 2009 in child abuse and neglect cases in which children removed from their homes are to be reunited with their families or are to be placed in another permanent home as soon as possible.
Presiding Judge Mary Sheffield is scheduled to receive the Permanency Award, to be presented by Supreme Court judges Zel Fischer and Mary Russell, during a special ceremony today (Thursday) at the Phelps County Courthouse. It is the third time the 25th Circuit, which includes Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Texas counties, has received the honor.
A circuit has to rank among the top two in its size class to qualify. The 25th circuit is one of 23 judicial circuits that will receive the award this year. The remaining circuits will be honored during the coming months.