MO HB1646

First class counties may establish a county court by ordinance or charter to hear violations of county ordinances, with judges selected through a method specified by charter or ordinance for terms of not less than two years.

County court judges must be licensed to practice law in Missouri, at least 21 years old, and cannot serve after reaching age 75; judges may be part-time and need not be county residents unless ordinance or charter requires otherwise.

County court judges serve as divisions of the circuit court and are subject to circuit court rules; the circuit presiding judge has general administrative authority over county court judges and personnel.

County ordinance violation cases are prosecuted by information based on complaint, with trials before judges (not juries) unless jury trial is demanded; defendants have the right to trial de novo within 10 days of judgment.

Counties must provide funding for judges, court personnel, courtroom facilities, and prosecution; fines and costs from county court judge cases go to the county treasury, while costs from associate circuit judge cases are remitted to the state treasury.