James A. HANSON

HANSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/27/2008 at 10:26:12

Meet Jim Hanson

Jim was born in South Dakota in 1972 to Doug and Marilyn Hanson. He is the first of three boys in that family.

After two early moves, Jim lived in Goldfield, Iowa, where he attending kindergarten. While in Goldfield, Jim was diagnosed with a bone disease in his left hip. After two years of treatment and a major surgery, Jim learned about the marvel of modern medicine and grit required to face difficult challenges.

Jim and his family relocated to Shenandoah, Iowa, where Jim graduated high school. While in Shenandoah, Jim was involved in Boy Scouts, student government (including Student Body President of the Middle School, Student Body Treasurer of the High School and Student Body President of the High School) and church activities. Jim was also active in football and wrestling, and worked various jobs ranging from delivering papers to walking beans to retail sales.

While Jim was serving as Student Body President of the High School, Shenandoah was named as a candidate for a new Pella Windows plant. Jim participated with local government and economic development planners to put on a community rally for the day the Pella representatives would visit Shenandoah. The community packed the high school gymnasium and explained to the businessmen why Shenandoah was a great place to put their new plant. Pella Rollscreen is now one of two industrial employers for Shenandoah and is an important part of that community's economy.

Jim attended college at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology in Preaching Ministry in 2001. Jim belongs to the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. This fellowship has no denominational government, creeds, confessions or catechisms. Consequently, Jim's religious convictions are his own, and he is happy to discuss his beliefs with anyone who wants to ask.

While Jim was attending Ozark Christian College, he reached a point when he lacked the motivation and desire to do justice to his studies. Rather than waste time and money, Jim joined the U.S. Army in 1995. Jim studied the Korean language in Monterrey, CA, and served as a Korean linguist both in the Republic of Korea and at Fort Lewis, WA. Jim was honorably discharged in 1999.

Jim's father died of prostate cancer at the age of 59 in 2001. This tragedy forced Jim to re-evaluate his life goals and commitments. As a result of this re-evaluation, Jim applied to, and was accepted by, the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

While attending law school, Jim worked with Prof. Carl Esbeck as a Research Assistant. Jim also was accepted as a member of the Missouri Law Review and served as the Layout & Design Editor. Jim's article "Missouri's Religious Freedom Restoration Act: A New Approach to the Cause of Conscience" was published in the Fall 2004 issue of the Missouri Law Review. Jim was also selected by four Missouri Supreme Court judges as the Top Oralist in the Moot Court competition. Jim also participated in the Regional Moot Court competition representing the MU School of Law in Little Rock, AR.

After graduating from law school in December, 2004, Jim worked for the next year in a Joplin firm practicing exclusively in the areas of estate planning and business planning. In March, 2006, Jim started his own solo practice in the Joplin area. In November, 2006, Jim agreed to join Stanley Cox in his practice here in Sedalia.

Jim believes in personal responsibility and accountability. He believes that government is to be held just as accountable as the individuals it governs. Jim believes that our government, including the judiciary, is only as good as the people that run it. He believes that a good city judge will first hold the city accountable to its burden of proving its allegations. If the allegations are supported by appropriate evidence, Jim believes that the individual charged should then be held accountable for their behavior.

If elected, Jim promises to apply the law consistently and appropriately in each case brought before him. He will apply the law equally to all, regardless of race, status, gender or other social category. Jim will also work hard to modernize the Municipal Court and treat those who are summonsed to court with the dignity they deserve.

Friends of James A. Hanson
202 West Fourth Street, Sedalia MO 65301

http://www.jimhansoncityjudge.com/id1.html