[2] Following law school graduation, Laughrey was an assistant state attorney general of Missouri until 1979, when she served as a municipal judge for Columbia, Missouri until 1983.

At the same time, she was deputy state attorney general of Missouri from 1992 to 1993.

She was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 24, 1996, and received her commission on August 1, 1996.

Laughrey is best known as the presiding judge in the Miracle Cars case.

She has a reputation as a stern judge who exercises complete control over her courtroom.