Supreme Court of Missouri Decisions

Founded in 1820, the Missouri Supreme Court has the discretion to review appeals of cases that involve questions of general interest or importance. It also may review an appeal if a lower court reaches a decision that conflicts with a pre-existing appellate decision, or if the Supreme Court finds that the law should be re-examined. The Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over appeals in certain types of cases, such as those involving the death penalty, challenges to the outcome of an election, or challenges to the validity of state or federal laws or provisions of the state constitution.

Of the seven members of the Missouri Supreme Court, only the Chief Justice is known as a justice, while the other six members are known as judges. Article V, Section 21 of the Missouri Constitution provides the qualifications for becoming a judge on the Court. A candidate must be at least 30 years old, a qualified voter in Missouri for at least nine years, a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years, and licensed to practice law in Missouri. A judge must retire when they reach the age of 70.

Judges are selected in a process known as the Missouri Plan. This involves a list of three candidates submitted by the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission to the Governor of Missouri. The seven-member Commission consists of the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, three attorneys chosen by the Missouri State Bar, and three citizens of Missouri who are appointed by the Governor. If the Governor does not choose one of the candidates provided by the Commission, the Commission will choose one of them. A newly appointed judge must go through a retention election in the first general election that occurs at least one year after their appointment. If they win this election, they will serve a 12-year term. The judges on the Missouri Supreme Court elect the Chief Justice, who serves a two-year term.

Browse Opinions From the Supreme Court of Missouri

Recent Decisions From the Supreme Court of Missouri
State vs. Thomas  
Date: November 5, 2024
Docket Number: SC100469

Justia Opinion Summary: In the early morning, a police officer stopped Chad Thomas for driving with a broken headlight. During the stop, Thomas exhibited unusual behavior, such as rolling down the rear window instead of the front, being unable…

Goodman vs. Saline County Commission  
Date: November 5, 2024
Docket Number: SC100554

Justia Opinion Summary: Jessica Goodman, the Saline County Assessor, filed a lawsuit seeking a declaration regarding the correct classification of Saline County under Missouri law. Goodman argued that Saline County should be classified as a…

State v. Emery  
Date: November 5, 2024
Docket Number: SC99869

Justia Opinion Summary: Richard Emery was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for each count. Emery admitted to killing his girlfriend K.K., her mother J.M., and K.K.'s two children, Z.K. and J.K., but argued…

Prosecuting Attorney, 21st Judicial Circuit, ex rel. Williams v. State of Missouri  
Date: September 23, 2024
Docket Numbers: SC 83934, SC83934, July2024, SC100764

Justia Opinion Summary: In 1998, the defendant fatally stabbed the victim during a burglary. The victim's belongings were found in the defendant's vehicle, and two witnesses testified that the defendant confessed to the crime. In 2001, a jury…

Coleman v. Ashcroft  
Date: September 20, 2024
Docket Number: SC100742

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a dispute over the form and procedural requirements of an initiative petition for Amendment 3, which aims to protect reproductive freedom. The Attorney General and the Secretary of State had approved…

Weeks vs. St. Louis County, MO.  
Date: September 3, 2024
Docket Number: SC100427

Justia Opinion Summary: Phillip Weeks filed a lawsuit against the City of Webster Groves and St. Louis County, alleging violations of Missouri’s Sunshine Law for failing to produce public records he requested. Weeks sought raw data files from…

Doe v. Olson  
Date: August 13, 2024
Docket Number: SC100296

Justia Opinion Summary: In 1997, John Doe pleaded guilty to two class C felonies: deviate sexual assault in the first degree and sexual assault in the first degree. He was placed on probation for five years and registered as a sex offender…

State v. Williams  
Date: July 12, 2024
Docket Numbers: SC 83934, SC83934, July2024, SC100764

Justia Opinion Summary: Marcellus Williams was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death following a jury trial. His conviction and sentence were affirmed by the Supreme Court of Missouri, and his postconviction relief was denied.…

Ramirez vs. Missouri Prosecuting Attorneys' & Circuit Attorneys' Retirement System  
Date: July 9, 2024
Docket Number: SC100376

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around Benjamin Ramirez, who, on behalf of a putative class, sued the Director and the Treasurer of the Missouri Department of Revenue in their official capacities. Ramirez had resolved criminal charges…

Salamun v. The Camden County Clerk  
Date: June 25, 2024
Docket Numbers: SC100076, SC100083

Justia Opinion Summary: The case involves a group of appellants, collectively referred to as "Challengers", who appealed judgments declaring section 67.1175.1 of the Missouri Statutes constitutionally invalid. This provision, in conjunction…

Flaherty v. State  
Date: June 18, 2024
Docket Number: SC100292

Justia Opinion Summary: Shawn Flaherty was convicted of second-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action following a violent altercation with his wife, during which he brandished a revolver and a bullet from the weapon struck his wife…

State ex rel. Bailey v. Pierce  
Date: June 18, 2024
Docket Number: SC100509

Justia Opinion Summary: The case revolves around a dispute over a change of judge in a criminal proceeding. The defendant was charged with a felony, and the original judge recused himself. A new judge was assigned, but the defendant and the…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

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