Report recommends increased oversight of court procedures
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (Aug. 15, 2016) Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today issued an audit of the Linn Creek municipal court, located in Camden County. The audit raised concerns about the need for additional oversight of court accounting procedures and case records.
“Local courts play a critical role in shaping citizens’ views of government and the justice system,” Auditor Galloway said. “My team has proposed corrective action to increase oversight of the court’s finances and to ensure services for Missourians are efficient and fair.”
Auditors recommended additional supervisory reviews of court accounting records, because the municipal division employs only one person to collect money and record transactions. Additionally, the audit found that some changes made in the case management system lacked supporting judicial orders, and a number of case files could not be located. Auditors also recommended stronger password controls to protect court data.
The Linn Creek municipal court audit was conducted as part of the Municipal Courts Initiative, which expands the standard court audit process. In addition to reviewing financial transactions, accounting practices, and compliance with court rules and state law, auditors also review statistical information, tickets and other penalties to identify improper activities or practices that may impair impartiality or damage the court’s credibility with citizens.
The Linn Creek municipal court, which received an overall performance rating of “fair,” is a division of the 26th Judicial Circuit. The complete audit report is available here.
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