Author:
Kimberly J. Benjamin, Founder & Managing Attorney
March 30. 2020.
Jackson County Courts
If you are facing a legal issue in Jackson County, Missouri, you might have preliminary questions about the courts. This can be especially real in circumstances where someone is experiencing a criminal law situation such as DWI, drug crimes, or traffic violations. In these circumstances, you may be wondering where the courthouse is located, which court will oversee your court case, and how to access court records.
How Can a Criminal Law Attorney Help
There are two major courts in this county: the municipal court and the 16th Circuit Court. Each court handles specific types of criminal and civil cases in Jackson County, and each has its own courthouses located throughout the county.
A criminal defense lawyer can assist with all relevant tasks associated with these courts, but for your own understanding, our firm has put together this brief overview of the Jackson County, Missouri Court system.
Jackson County Municipal Court’s Courthouse
In 2008, Jackson County formed a County Municipal Court to adjudicate violations of the County Ordinance. This court is a department of the 16th Judicial Court Circuit with 8 full-time judges and a court administrator. It processes around 200,000 cases each year.
What Violations Does the Municipal Courthouse Handle?
You may need to visit the Jackson County Municipal Court for violation of general County Ordinance offenses such as food inspections, animal control, code enforcement, and park citations, in addition to traffic or other regulation offenses issued by the County Sheriff’s Department.
Our trusted Kansas City criminal defense lawyers have decades of experience representing clients who have been charged with a County Ordinance violation. No charge is too small to defend, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you or a loved one is facing a court case with the Jackson County Municipal Court, including issues regarding traffic tickets and points.
16th Circuit Court of Jackson County MO
There are 45 circuits in Missouri. If you have been charged with a crime Jackson County, your case will most likely be heard by the 16th Circuit Court. The 16th Judicial Circuit Court is a state trial court where violations of Missouri law are prosecuted.
The circuit court is a court of general jurisdiction, so unless it is a community matter, the majority of cases are handled by this court. Those consist of criminal, civil, probate, juvenile, and small claims matters.
16th Circuit Court of Jackson County’s Courthouse
There are multiple courthouse locations in this county where criminal law matters are heard. Criminal law matters within our practice areas such as sex crimes, assault, and violent crimes, and other relevant cases are typically heard at the downtown and Independence courthouses or the Albert Riederer Community Justice Complex. Below, we provide more detail about these locations and additional courthouse information.
Jackson County courtroom proceedings are open to the public, except for most juvenile matters. However, visitors have to go through a security checkpoint when entering any of the Jackson County court buildings. Although cell phones may be brought into the courthouse, they have to be turned off inside the courtroom, as well as other electronic devices such as computers. Taking photographs inside the courtroom or outside courtroom doors is also not allowed. You will be required to empty your pockets and remove your belt. Weapons of any kind are not allowed in court buildings.
Jackson County Missouri Courthouse Locations
Here, we outline the most important information you need to know about the four courthouse locations in Kansas City and Independence.
Jackson County Courthouse KCMO
Jackson County Courthouse 415 E. 12th Street Kansas City, MO is the courthouse that hears most of the county’s civil cases. Civil cases heard by this court consist of those, including injuries, wrongful death, and small claims lawsuits. It likewise does not hear criminal cases. The phone number to reach the Jackson County Courthouse in KC is (816) 881-1330.
The Family Court Department of the 16th Judicial Circuit is mostly for family law cases in Kansas City. It has the authority to hear cases concerning juveniles and domestic relations. These may consist of guardianships, adoptions, child support, juvenile delinquency, legal separation, divorce, child custody, annulment, and paternity actions. The Family Court Department lies in the same complex as the Jackson County Courthouse on E. 12th Street. The contact number is (816) 435-4700.
The Albert Riederer Community Justice Complex, situated at 1315 Locust in KC, Missouri, hears criminal cases as well as juvenile criminal cases and offers restorative justice to the victims of criminal offenses. You can call this courthouse at (816) 881-3934.
Jackson County Courthouse Independence MO
Although most county courthouses are located in Kansas City, municipal court cases are handled by the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, also known as the Truman Courthouse, in Independence, Missouri. As mentioned above, the municipal court hears cases involving county ordinance violations. The Eastern Jackson County Courthouse also shares civil court responsibilities with the County Courthouse in Kansas City. The address for this courthouse is 308 West Kansas in Independence, MO. You can contact them by phone at (816) 881-4400.
No matter which courthouse is hearing your criminal law case, you can rest assured that the trusted attorneys of the Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center are prepared to stand by your side. Our extensive experience navigating the Missouri court system and our dedication to preserving justice is just a small part of what places us among the top criminal defense law firms in the Kansas City area.
Jackson County MO Court Records
Court records can be an important resource when handling a criminal law situation. The Department of Criminal Records is accountable for preserving case file records in criminal and traffic matters heard by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. These records include documents of traffic infractions and of Missouri misdemeanor and felony Missouri charges.
The Department of Civil Records receives, processes, and holds all circuit court records relating to civil, domestic and small claims cases. It carries out all civil records responsibilities of the Circuit Clerk.
How to Preform a Court Records Search
Case information on all public records in the department is readily available online at Case.net. Case.net is your access to the Missouri state court’s automated case management system. From here, you can search for case records consisting of docket entries, parties, judgments, and charges in public court.
If you are having trouble finding information on a specific court case, don’t hesitate to reach out to our firm for assistance.
Jackson County Court Docket
In addition to court records searches, a court docket is a useful resource for finding court case information in Jackson County, Missouri. The court docket is essentially the calendar that the judge and courthouse personnel maintain to arrange events that are scheduled in the courtroom, such as hearings.
The Jackson County Municipal Court routinely releases its docket on the county website. Other legal files and county records are readily available on the Recorder of Deeds Web Access.
Attorney for Jackson County Court Cases
If you are going through a criminal law matter in this Missouri county, you likely have plenty of concerns about the local court system or about the details of your case and how it will impact your future. You don’t have to go through this alone. You need a team of highly-trained and successful trial lawyers on your side.
If you’re looking for a lawyer to assist with a case as you navigate this MO county court system, we’re here to help. Contact the Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center today to begin developing a strong defense.
