Judicial Selection Process

Judges of the 16th Judicial Circuit are selected under the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan — a merit-selection system, sometimes called the "Missouri Plan," that has served as a national model for the impartial selection of judges.

Circuit judges are appointed by the Governor under the Nonpartisan Court Plan to six-year terms. They must be at least 30 years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri, a United States citizen for at least 10 years, a Missouri voter for at least three years, and a resident of the 16th Judicial Circuit for at least one year.

Associate circuit judges are appointed by the Governor under the Nonpartisan Court Plan to four-year terms. They must be at least 25 years old, licensed to practice law in Missouri, a Missouri voter, and a resident of the 16th Judicial Circuit.

Commissioners are appointed by the judges of the Court to four-year terms. They possess the same qualifications as associate circuit judges but have a more limited jurisdiction, and a circuit or associate circuit judge must confirm their judgments.