MO HB558

Prohibits associate circuit judges in any city not within a county from presiding over the trial or sentencing phase of any class A felony case.

Prevents the presiding judge of a circuit from assigning an associate circuit judge in any city not within a county to preside over the trial or sentencing phase of a class A felony case.

Establishes that circuit judges and associate circuit judges may hear and determine all cases within circuit court jurisdiction, subject to specified restrictions regarding municipal ordinance violations and felony cases.

Requires local circuit court rules to comply with restrictions on assignments that the presiding judge is prohibited from making, including the new restriction on associate circuit judges hearing class A felony trials or sentencing.