Highest Court
The highest court in Missouri is the Supreme Court of Missouri. The Supreme Court consists of 7 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving validity of U.S. or statute. Missouri statute or constitution, revenue laws, title to state office, and cases where there is a death sentence. (2) Cases transferred from Court of Appeals. (3) General superintending authority over all Missouri courts.
Intermediate Courts
Court Of Appeals
The Court of Appeals consist of
32 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) All appeals not within exclusive
jurisdiction of Supreme Court. (2) Original jurisdiction over remedial
writs. (3) General superintending authority over all Circuit Courts
in district.
General Courts
Circuit Courts
The Circuit Courts consist of 135
Circuit Judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Exclusive civil jurisdiction
(including civil appeals). (2) Small claims up to $3,000. (3) Exclusive
criminal jurisdiction. (4) Traffic/other violation jurisdiction.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Limited Courts
Municipal Court
The Municipal Court consists of
327 judges. It has jurisdiction over (1) Municipal traffic/ordinance
violations.
No jury trials are overseen by this court.
Appeal to wrong court--transfer
of cause.
In the event that any case is sent
from (1) a lower court on appeal or writ of error to the wrong district
of the court of appeals or the supreme court--upon immediate knowledge
the clerk shall forward the transcript to the clerk of the proper district
of the court of appeals OR (2) a case being sent improperly on appeal or
writ of error from a lower court to any district of the court of appeals
when it should have been sent to the supreme court---the district of the
court of appeals shall send the case to the clerk of the supreme court
and handled as though the mistake had never happen. (Missouri Revised
Statutes 477.080).
Commissioners may be assigned
as special judges.
The commissioners of the supreme
court by order of the supreme court may be temporarily assigned to be special
judges of the supreme court, any district court of appeals, or any circuit
court. These special judges will be subject to the supervision of
the regular judge(s) of the court, but shall exercise the same powers,
duties, and responsibilities are the regular judges of the assigned court.
(Missouri Revised Statutes 477.082)
Prosecutions based on information
only, proceedings.
(Missouri Revised Statutes 479.090)
All prosecutions for the violation of municipal ordinances shall be instituted
by information and may be based upon a complaint. Proceedings shall be
in accordance with the supreme court rules governing practice and procedure
in proceedings before municipal judges.
Arrest without warrants, procedure.
The city marshal, chief of police,
or other police officer of any municipality may make an arrest without
a warrant for any person who commits an offense in the said person's presence.
Before the trial, the officer must file a written complaint with the judge
hearing the violations of municipal ordinances. (Missouri Revised Statutes
479.110).
Certification of official court
reporters required.
An official court reporter must
be certified by the board of certified court reporter examiners. If the
certified appointed court reporter is absent due to illness, physical incapacity,
death, dismissal, or resignation, a judge may appoint a temporary court
reporter, but the reporter will be forbidden to serve more than six months
without certification. A deposition must be prepared and certified
by a certified court reporter to be given in any court in Missouri or to
include testimony taken. Deposition testimony taken outside Missouri must
follow the guidelines stated in this section. This does not apply
to depositions taken in this state for cases not pending in a Missouri
Court. (Missouri Revised Statutes 485.077).
Jurisdiction of small claims
court
In a small claims case where the
amount does not exceed $3000 (exclusive of interest or cost) the judge
of the said court shall have original jurisdiction of all civil cases,
whether tort or contract. (Missouri Revised States 482.305)
Fees of witnesses--examination
on oath.
Witness shall be allowed fees for
their services. Pursuant to section 491.280 (Missouri Revised Statute
488.032).
