City of St. Louis Circuit Court
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy
Document Format Requirements5 rules
In addition to providing hard copies, the parties are expected to be able to make changes while in chambers; therefore, counsel shall bring their instructions on a compact disc, flash drive, or email them to the Court.
The font shall be 14-point, Times New Roman on Microsoft Word.
- Font
- Times New Roman
- Font size
- 14 points
Any paper or exhibit not previously marked for identification shall be marked before it is tendered to the Court or a witness for examination.
Exhibits should be marked for identification prior to trial.
Plaintiff should use numbers and defendant should use letters.
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
Parties shall submit a “clean” copy and a “dirty” copy of each instruction proffered.
Plaintiff shall also provide a proposal for the numerical order that the instructions should be read to the jury.
The dirty copy shall contain citations of authority and also indicate whether it was prepared at the Court’s direction or by which party it was tendered.
Each party who has the burden of proof on a claim or defense shall provide proposed jury instructions to the Court and to the other parties not later than the conclusion of voir dire, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
An exhibit list shall be provided to the Court, court reporter, and opposing party prior to trial.
Counsel shall provide a witness list to the Court, court reporter, and opposing party prior to trial.
Any party offering interrogatories and answers as evidence shall first provide to the Court and the opposing party a written list which separately sets out in full each interrogatory together with response thereto.
criminal cases that are issued with co-defendants shall be noted as such on the charging document filed by the Circuit Attorney
Any division requesting a jury panel shall submit the jury request order to the jury supervisor after the State and Defense counsel have completed the form and the judge has signed approving the jury trial setting request.
In the event the parties have failed to request a trial setting the court deems ready for trial, then the trial court may submit the form to the jury supervisor completing it to the best of its knowledge.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The movant's attorney must electronically file a notice of cancellation when a scheduled motion is resolved or rescheduled.
shall e-file a notice of cancellation if a scheduled motion has been resolved or rescheduled.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
The movant's attorney must electronically file a Notice of Hearing for every scheduled motion.
Movant's attorney shall e-file a Notice of Hearing for all scheduled motions
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
Pre-Trial Release bond exhibits are to be uploaded to Show Me Courts by the Pre-Trial Release office as part of the Secretary’s Criminal Clerk duties.
the process for uploading Pre-Trial Release bond Exhibit filings will be streamlined and expedited by uploading Exhibits to Show Me Courts within the Pre-Trial Release office, THEREFORE, The Presiding Judge Orders and Directs that the Pre-Trial Release Secretary is deputized for Criminal Clerk roles for Daily Case Activity.
Page 1 | RE: Pre-Trial Release Secretary directed to upload and edit bond Exhibit filings in preparation for Rule 33 bond hearings in Divisions 25 and 26
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Dispositive motions shall be heard more than 60 days prior to a trial setting.
Dispositive motions shall be heard more than 60 days prior to a trial setting.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
Dispositive motions must be scheduled and submitted at least 60 days before trial, or they may not be heard absent good cause.
Dispositive motions shall be scheduled and submitted at least 60 days prior to a trial setting in a general trial division or the motion may not be heard, unless circumstances establish good cause why that was not possible.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
Proposed converse or responsive jury instructions must be provided to the Court by the morning after receiving the other party’s proposed instructions.
Proposed converse or responsive jury instructions shall be provided to the Court not later than the morning after receiving the other party’s proposed jury instructions.
Page 2 | JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Proposed jury instructions from each party bearing the burden of proof are due no later than the conclusion of voir dire, unless the Court directs otherwise.
Each party who has the burden of proof on a claim or defense shall provide proposed jury instructions to the Court and to the other parties not later than the conclusion of voir dire, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Page 2 | JURY INSTRUCTIONS
Eligible individuals may begin filing expungement petitions on December 8, 2022.
those individuals eligible for expungement under paragraph #1 above may file with the appropriate circuit court a petition of expungement beginning December 8, 2022
Criminal cases
Page 1 | RE: Amendment 3 Expungements
The clerk processing the entry must make the minute entry at the time of entry.
the minute entry shall be made at time of entry by the clerk processing the entry.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Administrative Order No. 2023-08
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The exhibit list must be provided to the opposing party before trial.
An exhibit list shall be provided to the Court, court reporter, and opposing party prior to trial.
Page 3 | EVIDENCE/EXHIBITS
Counsel must provide the witness list to the opposing party before trial.
Counsel shall provide a witness list to the Court, court reporter, and opposing party prior to trial.
Page 3 | TRIAL
An exhibit offered in evidence should be handed to opposing counsel when it is offered if it has not already been tendered.
Any exhibit offered in evidence should at the time of such offer be handed to opposing counsel if not already so tendered.
Page 4 | EVIDENCE/EXHIBITS
Filing Fees and Waivers
One filing fee is charged for the first minor child of the same mother, and fees for each additional minor of the same mother are waived.
Whereas, the 22nd Judicial Circuit Probate Division will charge only one filing fee for the first minor child of the same mother and all the filing fees for each additional minor of the same mother are hereby waived.
Civil cases
Page 1 | RE: Filing fees for Minor Guardianships
Probate costs assessed under § 475.085.1 are paid from the Court Administrator’s Budget as direct-pay attorney invoices.
Effectively immediately, all Probate costs assessed/ordered by the Probate Judge, Probate Commissioner and/or Deputy Probate Commissioner of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit (the Court) pursuant to Chapter 475.085.1 RSMo, shall be paid out of the Court Administrator's Budget (311) budget, from the legal services line item, as direct pay invoices for said attorneys. Therefore, and consistent with this Administrative Order, the Court Orders the Comptroller of the City of St. Louis to direct pay the attorneys invoices presented by the Court for Probate costs assessed/ordered by the Probate Judge, Probate Commissioner and/or Deputy Probate Commissioner pursuant to Chapter 475.085.1 RSMo.
Page 1 | Probate Costs Pursuant to 475.085.1 RSMo
Courtesy Copy Requirements
One courtesy copy of every motion must be emailed or hand-delivered to the judge.
A courtesy copy of all motions shall be emailed or hand-delivered to the judge.
Page 1 | PRETRIAL MOTIONS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before presenting a motion in limine, counsel must make a good-faith effort to resolve disputed issues with opposing counsel.
Before presenting a motion in limine to the Court, counsel shall make a good faith effort to resolve disputed issues with opposing counsel.
Page 1 | PRETRIAL MOTIONS
Oral argument on any motion is limited to 15 minutes per side unless the court orders otherwise for good cause on an application made before argument begins.
Pursuant to Local Rule 33.3, oral arguments on any motion shall not exceed 15 minutes for each side, unless the court, for good cause shown, on application made before the commencement of argument, shall otherwise order.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuance requests are held in Division 1 on the 10th Floor of the Civil Court Building and should be scheduled as soon as possible, no later than the week before trial.
All Request for Continuances will be held in Division 1 on the 10th Floor of the Civil Court Building. These matters should be scheduled as soon as possible but not later than the week before trial.
Page 1 | PRETRIAL MOTIONS
Division 1 hears continuance motions in civil cases it sends to Circuit trial divisions; the assigned judge hears all other continuance motions.
Division 1 will hear continuance motions on civil cases sent from Division 1 to Circuit trial divisions. All other continuance motions on all other cases (civil and criminal) will be heard by the Judge assigned to the case.
Page 1 | Procedures Related to Petit Jury Trials
Chambers Communication Rules
Courtroom #1 requires live attendance, but the Court may allow virtual attendance for good cause if requested at least 5 days before the hearing; live attendance is encouraged, with exceptions if warranted.
Courtroom #1 shall require full attendance and be live for all. The Court shall allow virtual attendance only for good cause shown and provided a request is made no less than 5 days in advance of the hearing to the Court. The Court encourages live attendance but will make exceptions if warranted.
Page 1 | Division 30
Testimonial motions must be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk.
Testimonial motions shall be scheduled by contacting the courtroom clerk
Civil cases
Page 3 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
Contested motions must be scheduled exclusively through the court's website using the motion docket sign-up tab.
Contested motions shall be scheduled exclusively through the court's website (stlcitycircuitcourt.com) by selecting the motion docket sign-up tab from the homepage.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
For a jury trial expected to last at least five days or potentially require more than 42 jurors, the division must notify Joanne Martin at least eight weeks before the setting to discuss juror logistics.
If any jury trial will last five (5) days or longer, civil or criminal, and/or may need more than 42 jurors, the division shall notify Joanne Martin no later than 8 weeks prior to the setting to discuss number, what day jurors brought in, etc.
Page 3 | Procedures Related to Petit Jury Trials
When available motion dockets are full, add-ons may be permitted for good cause shown by contacting the courtroom clerk.
If available motion dockets are full, add-ons may be permitted for good cause shown by contacting the courtroom clerk.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Scheduling Motions in Division 17 and Division 20
Requests to use a room other than the assigned division must be submitted to the Secretary of the Presiding Judge and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Requests to use any room other than the assigned division shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Presiding Judge and granted on a first come, first served basis.
Page 1 | Procedures Related to Petit Jury Trials
For a jury trial requiring a larger venire pool, the trial judge should contact the Jury Supervisor eight weeks before trial so jurors can be specially summoned for voir dire.
If a jury trial will require a larger pool of venire persons (Multi-defendant felonies or lengthy civil trials) the trial judge should contact the Jury Supervisor eight (8) weeks prior to the trial date so that jurors may be specifically summoned for Voir Dire the Thursday and/or Friday of the week prior to trial.
Page 2 | Procedures Related to Petit Jury Trials
The listed services and resources are no longer provided routinely; the trial judge must request them in advance, and 48 hours' notice is requested.
All services and resources, previously provided in response to the COVID pandemic, such as public viewing rooms, wireless microphones, plexiglass barriers, masks and cleaning supplies, air filters, refrigerators, etc. will no longer be provided routinely. They remain available but must be requested by the trial judge in advance. 48 hour notice is requested.
Page 2 | Procedures Related to Petit Jury Trials
Contact the Division 9/23 Clerk for matters other than continuance requests.
Please Contact the Division 9/23 Clerk for all other matters.
Page 1 | PRETRIAL MOTIONS
An agency housed in a Court Building must immediately notify the Presiding Judge when it learns of a positive COVID case in the agency.
Any agency housed in one of the Court Buildings who learns of a positive case of COVID in their agency shall provide immediate notice to the Presiding Judge.
Page 5 | XIII. Interagency Cooperation
Affected counsel are encouraged to contact the assigned general division to check the status of cases ranked ahead of theirs.
It is recommended that affected counsel contact the assigned general division to determine the status of cases ranked ahead of their case on that division's trial docket.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Assignment and Notice of Cases for Trial
If counsel learns that the assigned division will not reach the case, counsel may contact Division 1 to seek reassignment so trial can begin as scheduled.
If counsel is advised that their case will not be reached in the assigned division, counsel may contact Division 1 for reassignment to another general division in order to begin the trial on the date scheduled.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Assignment and Notice of Cases for Trial
Media inquiries and requests to release information for the Twenty-Second Circuit must be directed to the Presiding Judge.
The Presiding Judge is the authorized contact for the media for the Twenty-Second Circuit and thus all media inquiries and requests to release information shall be directed to the Presiding Judge.
Page 5 | XIV. Media