Divisions of the Court

Missouri Circuit Courts are courts of original civil and criminal jurisdiction. The Twenty-Ninth Judicial Circuit is a single county circuit whose jurisdiction is Jasper County, Missouri. The Circuit is comprised of 6 elected judges, one family court commissioner, and one treatment court commissioner. Each judge presides over a division and are often referred to by their division. The circuit judges and associate circuit judges are elected by the constituents of Jasper County. The qualifications for a judge are governed by article V, section 21 of the Missouri Constitution. The Commissioners are appointed pursuant to Section 487.020 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.

Divisions I, II, III are presided over by circuit judges. The Circuit Division (also referred to as the trial court) has general jurisdiction over civil cases with any cause of action over $25,000, criminal felony cases transferred from the Associate Circuit Division, and other cases when assigned.

Divisions IV, V, VI are presided over by associate circuit judges. The Associate Circuit Division has general jurisdiction over civil cases with any cause of action under $25,000, small claims, traffic offenses, domestic cases, juvenile, probate, municipal ordinances, and criminal misdemeanors and felonies.

The Family Court has jurisdiction over domestic cases including divorces, paternity actions, child support matters, child custody issues, juvenile cases, and orders of protection.

The Treatment Courts, consisting of DWI Court, Co-occurring Disorders Court, Recovery Court, and Veterans Court, are court-supervised, comprehensive treatment programs for non-violent, felony offenders, who have been determined to require substance abuse or mental health treatment.