"The courts of justice shall be open to every person, and certain remedy afforded for every injury to person, property or character, and that right and justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay."
— Missouri Constitution, Bill of Rights
The 16th Judicial Circuit is located in Jackson County, Missouri, and is part of the state court system. There are 46 circuits in Missouri; some circuits serve several counties, but the 16th Circuit Court includes only Jackson County.
The 16th Judicial Circuit is a court of general jurisdiction. The types of cases filed include criminal, civil, probate, juvenile, and associate circuit matters such as small claims. Cases that are appealed from the 16th Circuit go to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, located in Kansas City. If a case is appealed from the appellate court, it goes to the Supreme Court of Missouri in Jefferson City.
In addition to the Circuit Court, Jackson County also has 16 municipal courts where misdemeanor cases are heard for offenses and code violations that occur within the city limits of the various municipalities. There is also a Jackson County Municipal Court located in Independence, which hears cases related to tickets issued by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.
With more than 700 employees and 38 judicial officers, the 16th Judicial Circuit is one of the largest trial courts in the State of Missouri.