Warren Dee Welliver | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri | |
| In office January 9, 1979 – September 8, 1989 | |
| Appointed by | Joseph P. Teasdale |
| Succeeded by | John C. Holstein |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 24, 1920 |
| Died | October 29, 2007 (aged 87) |
| Spouse | Ruth Welliver |
| Education | University of Missouri School of Law University of Missouri |
Warren Dee Welliver (February 24, 1920 – October 29, 2007) was judge on the Supreme Court of Missouri from 1979 until 1989. As a judge, he established Comparative Negligence as a defense in civil tort lawsuits, overruling the older Contributory Negligence standard. Judge Welliver was also famously passed up for Chief Justice; traditionally the judges take turns in the two-year job but Welliver was bypassed for the position. Judge Welliver was also known for his strong stances in favor of protecting a criminal defendant's rights at trial, and his opposition to the Missouri Plan.