Saint Francois County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Founded in 1821, St. Francois County, Missouri, was named after the St. Francis River. The county has a land area of 451.9 square miles and a population of 66,814 people. The county seat, Farmington, is the largest city in the state. St Francois County is located within the 24th Judicial Circuit and is home to a Circuit Court and 8 Municipal Courts. These courts play a vital role in the administration of justice.

The St. Francois County Circuit Court, located in Farmington, is the highest county court with general jurisdiction over all kinds of legal proceedings, including criminal and civil actions. This Court is organized into Divisions based on the specific cases heard, such as Family Court, Probate Court, Small Claims Court, and Municipal and Traffic Court. The Family Court Division handles divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, juvenile proceedings, petitions for name changes, and adoption cases. The Probate Division has equitable jurisdiction over the probate of wills, the administration of the decedent's estates and trusts, most guardianships, and other probate matters. The Small Claims Division hears civil claims in which the amount in dispute is less than $3,000. In addition, the Municipal and Traffic Court hears cases related to municipal ordinances and violations of parking and traffic ordinances. The Municipal Courts, on the other hand, have limited jurisdiction over violations of county or city ordinances and traffic infractions. The courts are located in Bismarck, Bonne Terre, Desloge, Iron Mountain Lake, Farmington, Leadington, Leadwood, and Park Hill.

According to crime data, St. Francois County had 294 incidents of violent crime offenses reported per 100,000 people in 2022. Also, a property crime rate of 36.3 per 1,000 people was recorded in the county. The St. Francois County Clerk is responsible for maintaining all court documents and case filings in the Circuit Court. Residents may access District and Municipal court records on the Court Portal. However, St. Francois County does not provide access to every court record. Records of adoptions, minors, drug and alcohol treatment, and mental illness evaluation are usually exempt from public disclosure.

In summary, The court system in St. Francois County is set up to improve the administration of justice and also guarantee that the county's residents receive justice. By promptly and fairly resolving issues under their purview, the Circuit and Municipal Courts show their dedication to ensuring that all people have equal access to the legal system. Additionally, St. Francois County keeps up an electronic system that facilitates resident's access to public court records, thereby boosting public confidence in the legal system.