Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District / Sep 14, 2021
Elizabeth Smith, Appellant, vs. City of St. Louis, Respondent.
Elizabeth Smith, a paramedic, appealed the circuit court's judgment affirming her 15-day employment suspension by the St. Louis City Civil Service Commission. The Commission's written submission process, which Smith chose, required notarized statements from the appointing authority and witnesses. However, the appointing authority's statements were not notarized. The appellate court reversed, holding that the Commission's failure to adhere to its own procedural safeguards violated Smith's due process rights. The case was remanded with directions to remove the suspension and determine back pay and pre-judgment interest.