Webster County Attorney Emily A. Prestidge has announced that she is seeking the office of Circuit Judge for the 30th Judicial Circuit.  The 30th Judicial Circuit is comprised of the counties of Benton, Dallas, Hickory, Polk and Webster.  The judgeship is currently held by Judge John W. “Bill” Sims who has announced his plans to retire at the end of his term in 2012.

Prestidge has served as an Assistant Greene County Prosecuting Attorney in Springfield, Missouri before opening her private practice in Marshfield, Missouri, where she focuses on Family, Criminal, Real Estate and Business Law.  Prestidge is currently serving as Special Prosecutor for the City of Hartville, Wright County, Missouri, as Special City Attorney for the City of Ava, Douglas County, Missouri and Special Prosecuting Attorney for Douglas County, MO.  Prestidge also serves as a Missouri State Special Public Defender, representing the indigent and as a Pro Bono attorney for Legal Services of Southern Missouri providing free legal services to low income, elderly and battered women.  Prestidge has been Court appointed by multiple courts to act as a Guardian ad Litem for children and elderly clients in need of legal representation.

Prestidge is a graduate of Marshfield High School.  Prestidge attended college at Evangel University where she earned a degree in Psychology, Government and Biblical Studies.  She received a Juris Doctorate from University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law and while a student, was given the distinct honor of having her work published, "Severance Pay - - His or Hers? How Courts Approach the Classification of Severance Pay at Dissolution: Past Efforts vs. Future Compensation." University of Texas Journal of Women and the Law, Volume 13, Issue 2 (2004).

Prestidge is the daughter of retired Captain Larry E. Silkey of Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland, Missouri and Cynthia Silkey, residents of Marshfield, Missouri.  She has two children, Viggo, 5 and Gisele, who is 4 years old.

When asked about why Prestidge is seeking office, she states, “I feel that my background in private practice and as a prosecutor has given me the experience necessary to assume the office of circuit judge.  I believe it is most important for a judge to be fair and impartial and I will work to maintain those standards above all other considerations without regard to any political or social standing.  I believe the easy decision is not usually the right decision and it is my desire to serve the citizens of the 30th Judicial Circuit in a fair, impartial and efficient manner.”  Prestidge firmly believes that “the position of Judge is a position of principles, integrity and a common sense approach to everyday problems confronted by our citizens.” 

Attorney Prestidge looks forward to meeting the people in the 30th Judicial Circuit in her upcoming campaign.