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Practice Areas in Missouri
Counties in Missouri
Browse 115 county legal-information pages
The Court System in Missouri
Circuit courts serve as Missouris primary trial courts, handling the majority of criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family matters, and probate issues. These courts are organized into 46 judicial circuits covering all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. Each circuit court has general jurisdiction, meaning it can hear virtually any type of case unless specifically assigned elsewhere. Municipal courts handle local ordinance violations, traffic tickets, and minor criminal matters within city limits. These courts process thousands of cases annually and are often where Missourians first encounter the legal system. The Missouri Court of Appeals serves as the intermediate appellate level, reviewing decisions from trial courts. Divided into three districts (Eastern, Western, and Southern), these courts ensure consistent application of Missouri law across different regions. At the apex sits the Missouri Supreme Court, the states highest judicial authority. This court primarily reviews significant legal questions and has the final say on matters of state constitutional interpretation. What makes Missouri distinctive is its non-partisan court plan for selecting judges in metropolitan areas, while other regions elect judges. This hybrid approach reflects Missouris balance between urban and rural legal needs. For official information, visit the Missouri Courts website at courts.mo.gov.
Major Courts in Missouri
The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District in St. Louis covers the most populous region of Missouri, reviewing appeals from circuit courts in the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding counties. This court handles a significant volume of criminal appeals, civil matters, and family law cases. The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court in St. Louis serves one of the busiest trial court jurisdictions in Missouri, processing thousands of felony cases, major civil lawsuits, and complex family matters annually. Located in downtown St. Louis, this court handles some of the states most significant criminal and civil trials. Jackson County Circuit Court in Kansas City represents another major trial court, serving the Kansas City metropolitan area with multiple divisions handling criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. This court processes a substantial caseload from Missouris second-largest urban center. The 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Kansas City, Clay County, handles significant criminal and civil matters for the northern Kansas City metropolitan area, including major felony prosecutions and substantial civil litigation. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City handles federal criminal cases, civil rights matters, and federal civil litigation for the western portion of the state, including cases involving federal crimes and constitutional issues.
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