16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri

About 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri

The 16th Judicial Circuit, located in Jackson County, Missouri, is part of the state court system and one of 45 circuits in Missouri. As a court of general jurisdiction, it handles most cases unless they are municipal matters, including criminal, civil, probate, juvenile, and small claims. Appeals from the circuit court go to the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District in Kansas City, and further appeals go to the Missouri Supreme Court in Jefferson City. The Jackson County Circuit Court has 19 circuit judges, nine associate circuit judges, and eight commissioners. Circuit judges serve six-year terms, associate circuit judges serve four-year terms, and commissioners are appointed to four-year terms by the judges. The judges preside over cases at four locations: the Kansas City Courthouse at 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106; the Independence Courthouse at 308 W. Kansas, Independence, Missouri 64050; the Criminal Justice Building at 1315 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri, which handles arraignments and preliminary hearings; and the Family Court at 625 E. 26th St. in Kansas City, Missouri, which focuses on juvenile matters and includes courtrooms, support staff, and the Juvenile Detention Center. In addition to judicial functions, the Court manages the staff and services for the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center and two juvenile residential treatment facilities. The Court is funded by the state and county, with a 2012 budget of nearly $50 million dollars, employing 807 full- and part-time staff, plus approximately 40 temporary or backup personnel.