Missouri Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Response to COVID-19

In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Missouri Supreme Court announced this week that it has suspended in-person proceedings in all appellate and circuit courts, including all associate, family, juvenile, municipal and probate divisions through April 3. The order may be extended as circumstances warrant, court officials said in a news release.

The court's order authorized the presiding judges of the state's appellate and circuit courts to determine the manner in which the listed exceptions to in-person proceedings are to be conducted. Further, the order gives presiding judges discretion to excuse jurors or other individuals who cannot or should not appear as a result of risks associated with COVID-19.