1. The majority of the circuit judges and associate circuit judges en banc, in the circuit, may designate, by local court rule, a family court in a county in the circuit as provided in sections 487.010 to 487.190.

2. The presiding judge of each circuit where the circuit or a county in the circuit has a family court shall designate the division or divisions of the circuit court that shall be the family court. In those circuits with split venue, a division shall be designated in each venue.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 487.010

  • En banc: In the bench or "full bench." Refers to court sessions with the entire membership of a court participating rather than the usual quorum. U.S. courts of appeals usually sit in panels of three judges, but may expand to a larger number in certain cases. They are then said to be sitting en banc.
  • Venue: The geographical location in which a case is tried.

3. In each circuit having more than one division designated as the family court, the presiding judge shall designate from the divisions so designated an administrative judge of the family court.

4. In any circuit with a county with split venue, there shall be at least one circuit judge assigned to the family court for each block of one hundred sixty thousand persons, or portion of such block, based upon the latest decennial national census.

5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the judges of the court en banc may remove a judge from his duties as a family court judge and may assign a new judge to sit as the family court judge.

6. This section shall not be construed as eliminating any family courts in existence as of December 31, 2019.

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