Becoming a Judge
Judges of the Supreme Court must be at least thirty years of age, licensed to practice law in this state, citizens of the United States for least fifteen years, and qualified voters of the state for nine years immediately before selection. Requirements for Court of Appeals and circuit court judges are set out in the state Constitution, article V.
Judges of the Supreme Court must be at least thirty years of age, licensed to practice law in this state, citizens of the United States for least fifteen years, and qualified voters of the state for nine years immediately before selection. Requirements for Court of Appeals and circuit court judges are set out in the state Constitution, article V.
The Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and certain circuit courts (Jackson County, Platte County, Clay County, St. Louis County and St. Louis City) use the nonpartisan court plan, nationally known as the Missouri Court Plan, to select judges. The remaining circuit courts elect judges to fill judicial vacancies.
Under the Missouri Court Plan, a commission selects three candidates for a judicial vacancy, based on merit and without regard to political affiliation. The commissions are composed of non-lawyers, lawyers, and a judge. The Governor may make an appointment only from the commission's three candidates. After the selected judge serves at least one year in office, the judge's name is placed on the ballot, and the people vote whether to retain the judge in office. If retained, the Supreme Court judge's name is placed on the ballot again every twelve years. If retained, circuit judges' names are placed on the ballot again every six years, and associate circuit judges' names are placed on the ballot again every four years. Judges may serve until the age of seventy.