Court History

The 16th Judicial Circuit as it exists today began in 1826 as the First Judicial Circuit, and was renamed the Fifth in 1831 when a new circuit including Jackson County was created. In 1841, Jackson County was redistributed to the Sixth Circuit, and reassigned a final time in 1871 to the Twenty-fourth Circuit. In 1892, the Circuit was renamed the Sixteenth Circuit. Although it currently comprises only Jackson County, at one time it included approximately half the state of Missouri.

In December 1826, Jackson County became a "separate and distinct county" by an act of the Missouri General Assembly. In 1827, the first courthouse in Independence was constructed — a two-room log structure intended as temporary housing only. On March 27, 1828, Judge David Todd heard the first circuit court case of Jackson County, State of Missouri v. William Reed, who was charged with horse stealing.

In 1836, a two-story courthouse was erected and is largely considered the first "permanent" courthouse in Jackson County. The courthouse underwent several renovations over the years — a brick refacing and the addition of a tower in 1872, along with central heating in the true spirit of advancing technology. The 16th Judicial Circuit today carries forward nearly two centuries of service to the citizens of Jackson County.