Melissa Buckman Young Announces Candidacy for Audrain County Associate Judge

The following press release was sent from Friends for Judge Buckman Young.

Judge Melissa Buckman Young has announced her candidacy for Audrain County Associate Judge.

She kicked off her campaign on April 7 at Jason’s Top Shelf, engaging with community members about her vision for the Court.

Judge Young was appointed to the position in February 2024 by Gov. Mike Parson, and will be on the ballot in August and November 2026.

“I just celebrated my first anniversary as Judge, and it’s close to a year away from the filing period, so this seemed like a good time to celebrate that first year and to announce my candidacy to retain the position,” said Judge Young.

Despite only a year on the bench, Judge Young has taken state and regional leadership roles, including an appointment by the Missouri Supreme Court to the Missouri Bar’s Joint Commission on Women in the Profession and chairing the 12th Circuit Fostering Court Improvement Team.

In April, she is chairing a two-day event bringing two nationally recognized speakers to Audrain County for a free training on child and family welfare.

With over a decade of legal experience prior to taking the bench, Judge Young practiced in many fields, including family law, adoptions, guardianships, estate planning, landlord/tenant law, real estate, business organization, contracts, and municipal representation.

She served as Mexico’s city prosecutor, counsel for the cities of Farber and Martinsburg, and was the County’s Guardian ad Litem (representing the best interests of children in cases where there are allegations of abuse or neglect).

As the county’s sole Associate Judge, she handles civil, criminal, family, probate and juvenile cases and oversees compliance dockets for domestic violence and child support probation.

She also reinstated monthly courthouse weddings, a service unavailable since the pandemic.

“As an attorney, I practiced in nearly every field of law that I now handle from the bench.

This last year has proven that legal experience and knowledge invaluable for the administration of the cases that come before me each day in Audrain County,” said Judge Young.

Since being appointed Associate Judge, Young has attended local events to share information or to educate young people, including the Farm Bureau’s Annual Legislators Dinner, 4-H club meeting, and the County’s municipalities group.

“As a judge, I enjoy engaging with the community about the important work we do in our local courts,” said Judge Young.

Community organizations and schools are able to request a Judge come speak about a variety of topics and can contact Judge Young at the courthouse to request a presentation.

Committed to ongoing legal education, Young has completed nearly 100 hours of judicial training in the last year, and in May will attend a national Forensic Digital Evidence for Judges program at no cost to the State or County.

Active in the community, she serves on the Mexico Sustainability Project Board, Mexico Area Community Foundation Board, and St. Brendan School Advisory Council.

She and her husband, Jason, each lifelong Audrain County residents, have lived in Mexico for nearly 20 years.

“My campaign is about experience, integrity, and dedication to the people of Audrain County,” said Judge Young.

“With my diverse legal background, I am committed to ensuring justice is served fairly and efficiently.”

Her campaign slogan, “Experience you can trust, Justice you deserve,” reflects her dedication to the community.

For more information, visit the “Friends of Judge Buckman Young” Facebook page or contact Campaign Treasurer Mike Sharpe at 573-721-0944.