Opinion ID: 1717534
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Assignment of Judge

Text: Isa's trial was originally assigned to Judge William Geary in Division 10, of the Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis. The State moved for a change of judge. Rule 32.07. Judge Charles A. Shaw, Division 21, received the reassignment. Isa alleges error with this reassignment. She claims that (1) the record does not show that she received a copy of the State's motion and (2) the assigning judge was without authority to assign this matter to Judge Shaw. Isa raised this argument for the first time on appeal. We review it only for plain error. Rule 30.20; State v. Hunter, 840 S.W.2d 850, 859 (Mo. banc 1992). Rule 32.07 provides the procedural mechanism for a change of judge in a misdemeanor or felony action. Rule 32.07(e)(4) provides that a case may be reassigned in accordance with local rules. Local Rule 67.10.1.7 of the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis governs the assignment of cases following a valid motion for change of judge under 32.07. Nothing in the record indicates that the circuit court deviated from the procedure set forth in Local Rule 67.10.1.7. Plain error relief is appropriate only when the alleged error so substantially affects the rights of the defendant that a manifest injustice or miscarriage of justice results. Rule 29.12(b). The defendant bears the burden of showing that an alleged error has produced such a manifest injustice. State v. Parkus, 753 S.W.2d 881, 888 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 900, 109 S.Ct. 248, 102 L.Ed.2d 237 (1988). Mere allegations of error and prejudice will not suffice. See State v. Kilgore, 771 S.W.2d 57, 67 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 874, 110 S.Ct. 211, 107 L.Ed.2d 164 (1989). Reassignment of this case occurred nearly ten months prior to trial. Isa had substantial time to offer any objections she had to Judge Shaw; she failed to do so. Bare allegations of inconsequential and unchallenged procedural irregularities do not rise to manifest injustice or plain error. The point is denied.