Get Form 10370 - Request For Hearing With Lines.3.doc - 16thcircuit

There are 46 judicial circuits in Missouri. The state's circuit courts have several divisions in which cases are managed by circuit judges, associate circuit judges, probate judges, municipal judges and a variety of commissioners.

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. Within the circuit court, there are various divisions, such as associate circuit, small claims, municipal, family, probate, criminal and juvenile.

The 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, is a State trial court where issues involving Missouri law are litigated. Judges hear everything from small claims cases to death penalty cases. In 2008, Jackson County formed a County Municipal Court to adjudicate general County Ordinance violations.

The Circuit Court is a court of limited and local jurisdiction. The work can be divided into four main areas: civil, criminal, family law and jury service.

In Missouri, if a decedent's estate is small enough, the law allows you to skip probate altogether and use a simplified process. Otherwise, you'll need to go through a formal probate process in court, either "independent" or "supervised" depending on the circumstances.

Circuit judges may hear and determine all cases and matters within the jurisdiction of the circuit courts. Associate circuit judges may hear civil matters that do not exceed $25,000, misdemeanor or infraction matters, and felony matters prior to the filing of the information.