March 04, 2024

The Constitution of the State of Missouri authorizes three types of judges in Missouri’s circuit courts – circuit judges, associate circuit judges, and municipal judges.

The State of Missouri prosecutes crimes committed against its citizens. The prosecuting attorney in each county usually handles the case. In a criminal case, the state has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the alleged crime. Defendants are presumed innocent and never have the burden of proving their innocence. Defendants have the right to be represented by a lawyer throughout the process.

Missouri circuit courts are courts of original civil and criminal jurisdiction. That is, cases usually begin in the circuit court, which is where trials may occur. The circuit court has various divisions, including associate circuit, small claims, municipal, family, probate, criminal, and juvenile [...]