Section 9.7 Judicial Abolition of Sovereign Immunity

• Library: Local Government Deskbook (2017 Ed.)

D. (§9.7) Judicial Abolition of Sovereign Immunity

In Watson v. Kansas City, 499 S.W.2d 515, 520 (Mo. banc 1973), Judge James Finch, in a concurring opinion, reiterated his belief that the Court should reexamine the doctrine of governmental immunity. Two years later, in O’Dell v. School District of Independence, 521 S.W.2d 403 (Mo. banc 1975), the Supreme Court reconsidered and, by a 4-3 vote, reaffirmed the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Judge Robert Donnelly, writing for the majority, and Judge Finch...