MO SB793

Special prosecutors appointed when prosecuting attorneys have conflicts of interest may not be otherwise employed by private parties in criminal cases and shall be considered appointed prosecutors under section 56.360.

Presiding judges of circuits are selected by secret ballot for two-year terms and may designate acting presiding judges if no eligible judge is available; presiding judges cannot assign judges to hear felony trials if they conducted the preliminary hearing unless the defendant waives this restriction in writing.

Motions to exclude evidence based on unlawful acquisition are inapplicable in preliminary hearings, and court findings may be based on substantial evidence including hearsay in forms of expert written reports, documentary evidence without proper predicate, or witness testimony about hearsay declarations.

State shall pay costs in cases where the defendant is acquitted or where a person is committed or recognized to answer for a felony but no indictment is found, repealing the prior provision making prosecutors personally liable for such costs.