MO SB193

Applies to first-classification counties with more than 82,000 but less than 82,100 inhabitants to prosecute county ordinance violations in a county municipal court upon adoption of an ordinance by the county commission.

County municipal court has jurisdiction over county ordinance violations related to building codes, on-site sewer treatment, and zoning orders, and may contract with municipalities to prosecute their ordinance violations.

County commission appoints county municipal court judges who must be licensed to practice law in Missouri and county residents; judges cannot handle inconsistent cases or serve as judges or prosecutors for other courts.

County must establish by ordinance the number of judges, court divisions, evening sessions after 6:00 p.m., procedures for remote pleas and guilty submissions by mail or electronic transfer, and recording of all proceedings.

Final decisions are appealable to appellate court on record, or defendants may request trial de novo if proceedings are not recorded; defendants charged with county ordinance violations may request jury trials.