Council Chooses New Judge, Considers Night Court

Kansas City, Mo. – The Kansas City city council chose attorney Anne LaBella as a new municipal judge Thursday and decided to look into different hours for the municipal court.

LaBella has represented clients in municipal court for 18 years, and is also known for her volunteer work with women in shelters, veterans and the homeless.

The council also discussed having at least one division of the municipal court operate as a night court.

They agreed that it is harder than ever for some people to take off work to go to court in the daytime, and as councilman Terry Riley put it, "Everyone else is doing it, and they've been doing it for years. And sometimes we say, "Well, what's the matter with Kansas City, Missouri?" 'cause we're not doing it.

The council is asking the municipal court to consider a night court session. New judge LaBella says she supports the idea.