Judicial reforms in the city of Ferguson are on the way, with the Missouri Supreme Court reassigning all pending and future municipal court cases in the city to the appeals court.

The reassigning of all cases in the city of Ferguson came just days after the US Department of Justice released a report that highlighted the alleged systemic bias in the city's law enforcement units and its courts.

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"Extraordinary action is warranted in Ferguson," Judge Roy Richter, an appeals court judge assigned to hear Ferguson's pending and future cases, said in a statement. "But the Court also is examining reforms that are needed on a statewide basis."

The Missouri Supreme Court order also empowers Judge Richter to immediately implement needed reforms to court policies and procedures in Ferguson to ensure that the rights of defendants are respected and to help restore the integrity of the system.

One of the reforms that the Missouri Supreme Court seeks to implement is the giving of more time to people who cannot pay fines immediately and several other "best practices".

The reforms will be ongoing and will take into account input from judges and advocates, the court's statement said.

"More than two-thirds of all Missouri court cases are filed in the municipal divisions," Chief Justice Mary R. Russell said in the statement. "Though these are not courts of record, they are the first-and sometimes the only-impression Missourians have of their court system. Although we recognize the local control our statutes give these uniquely local entities, we must not sacrifice individual rights and society's collective commitment to justice."

Earlier, the US Attorney said it will implement reforms in Ferguson's law enforcement units, which could warrant the dismantling of the embattled Ferguson police department.

"If that's what's necessary, we're prepared to do that," said US Attorney General Eric Holder, when asked whether his department would seek dismantling of the local police department.

TagsFerguson, Ferguson Court, Ferguson Police