Court records in Franklin County, Missouri are maintained by the Circuit Clerk's office and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and in-person visits to the clerk's office. FranklinMOCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Franklin County. You can also use the Franklin County government website, state court portals, and the Circuit Clerk's office directly. Missouri's Sunshine Law generally makes court records available to the public, though certain records — such as juvenile cases and sealed files — are restricted.
Franklin County Court System Overview
Franklin County is part of Missouri's 20th Judicial Circuit, which serves Franklin County exclusively. The circuit court is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in Missouri, handling all civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. The court operates from the Franklin County Courthouse in Union, the county seat. Both circuit judges and associate circuit judges preside over cases, with associate circuit judges handling many of the functions that other states assign to magistrate courts.
Courts Serving Franklin County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 20th Judicial Circuit Court (Franklin County Circuit Court) | 401 E. Main Street, Union, MO 63084 | (636) 583-6355 |
| City of Union Municipal Court | 401 E. Main Street, Union, MO 63084 | (636) 583-3600 |
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri | 111 S. 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102 | (314) 244-7900 |
| U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Missouri | 111 S. 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63102 | (314) 244-4500 |
Franklin County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri for federal matters. The City of Union Municipal Court operates from the Franklin County Courthouse and handles municipal ordinance violations within Union city limits. Other municipalities in the county may operate their own municipal divisions as well.
What Types of Cases Franklin County Courts Hear
Franklin County's circuit court has jurisdiction over a broad range of case types:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, and traffic violations
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes
- Family law: Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, orders of protection
- Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile: Delinquency, abuse and neglect, status offenses
- Other: Adoption, termination of parental rights, mental health proceedings
Municipal courts within the county handle ordinance violations such as code enforcement and local traffic offenses.
District Court Cases in Franklin County
In Missouri's unified court system, circuit judges in the 20th Judicial Circuit hear the most serious matters. These include felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $25,000, and appeals from associate circuit judge decisions. Circuit judges also handle jury trials in both criminal and civil matters. Cases typically arrive at the circuit division after being bound over from an associate circuit division following a preliminary hearing, or when filed directly in circuit court based on the amount in controversy. The presiding judge of the 20th Circuit assigns cases among the circuit judges.
Magistrate Court Cases in Franklin County
Missouri does not use a separate magistrate court. Instead, associate circuit judges fulfill this role within the circuit court. In Franklin County, associate circuit judges hear:
- Misdemeanors and infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil cases up to $25,000
- Small claims cases up to $5,000
- Traffic and municipal ordinance violations
- DUI arraignments and hearings
Small claims proceedings follow simplified rules, and parties often represent themselves. Associate circuit judges may also handle certain family law and probate matters depending on caseload and assignment by the presiding judge.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Franklin County
Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights cases are filed with the Circuit Clerk and assigned to either a circuit judge or associate circuit judge. Marriage licenses in Missouri are issued by the Recorder of Deeds in each county, but divorce decrees and custody orders are handled through the circuit court.
Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are heard in the probate division of the circuit court. An associate circuit judge typically presides over probate cases in Franklin County.
Juvenile: Juvenile cases — including delinquency, abuse, neglect, and status offenses — are handled by the juvenile division. These records are confidential under Missouri law and are not available to the general public. The Franklin County Juvenile Office can be reached through the courthouse.
How Cases Move Through the Franklin County Court System
- Filing: A case begins when a criminal complaint, civil petition, or other initiating document is filed with the Circuit Clerk's office.
- Assignment: The presiding judge assigns the case to a circuit judge or associate circuit judge based on case type and division.
- Initial hearing: Criminal defendants appear for arraignment; civil cases receive a scheduling conference or initial hearing date.
- Pre-trial phase: Parties engage in discovery, file motions, and may pursue plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to bench or jury trial, or resolve through plea agreement, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing and appeals. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments, post-trial motions, or appeals to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Franklin County
The 20th Judicial Circuit is administered by a presiding circuit judge who oversees case assignments, court operations, and local rule implementation. The Franklin County government website provides access to information about the Circuit Clerk and other county offices.
Local rules: The 20th Judicial Circuit's local court rules supplement the Missouri Supreme Court Rules and govern practice within Franklin County. These rules are typically available through the circuit court or the Missouri Courts website.
Public access: Under Missouri law, most court records are open to the public. You can request records in person at the Circuit Clerk's office or submit a written request. Missouri's Sunshine Law provides a framework for public records requests — the Attorney General's sample records request form offers guidance on how to draft a request. Exceptions to public access include juvenile records, sealed records, and certain mental health proceedings.
Attending hearings: Most hearings at the Franklin County Courthouse are open to the public. Ask the Circuit Clerk's office about any remote hearing options that may be available for specific case types.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Franklin County
- Court record searches: Missouri's Case.net system (courts.mo.gov) allows online searches of circuit court case records statewide, including Franklin County cases. You can search by name, case number, or date.
- Court calendar: Hearing schedules for the 20th Judicial Circuit can be checked through Case.net or by contacting the Circuit Clerk's office at (636) 583-6355.
- Court forms and self-help: Missouri Courts offers standardized court forms for family law, small claims, and other common filings through the Missouri Courts website.
- Clerk of Court / public records: The Franklin County Circuit Clerk's office processes requests for certified copies of court records. Contact the office for current fees and processing times.
- Criminal background checks: The Missouri State Highway Patrol offers name-based criminal record checks. For fingerprint-based background checks, use the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS), which costs $44.00 for a combined state and FBI check.
- Arrest reports: The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrest reports portal allows searches by county, including Franklin County.
- Offender search: The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search provides information about individuals currently or formerly under DOC supervision.
- Vital records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records can be obtained through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services or at the local level through the MO.gov residents portal.
- Historical court records: The Missouri State Archives holds historical judicial records from circuit courts, appellate courts, and municipal courts across the state.
- Law enforcement contacts: To find contact information for the Franklin County Sheriff or local police departments, use the Attorney General's police and sheriffs directory.