Supreme Court extends suspension of in-person proceedings through May 1

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court issued an order Wednesday extending its precautionary measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court has extended the suspension of most in-person proceedings, with certain listed exceptions for urgent matters under the Constitution or state law, through Friday, May 1.

The order replaces an earlier one that had suspended proceedings through April 17.

Exemptions to in-person proceedings are those:

• Necessary to protect the constitutional right of criminal defendants and juveniles;

• Pertaining to juvenile delinquency and abuse, neglect and termination of parental rights;

• Pertaining to adoption;

• Pertaining to orders of protection;

• Related to emergency child custody orders;

• Related to petitions for temporary restraining orders;

• Proceedings related to emergency mental health orders;

• Pursuant to emergency guardianship or conservatorship; and

• Directly related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Despite the restrictions, the state’s courts remain open to conduct necessary business, though access to court buildings has been limited to help prevent the spread of the disease.

The Supreme Court’s order does not affect a court’s ability to consider or rule on matters and does not affect required deadlines through the state’s electronic filing system.

The order authorizes local courts to determine how best to conduct the excepted proceedings and other necessary court business.

As information about and best practices for dealing with COVID-19 continue to evolve, the Supreme Court will continue to discuss how best to balance the health and safety of the public, judges and court staff statewide with the judicial branch’s responsibility to uphold the constitutional rights of litigants seeking redress and other core constitutional functions.