Court divisions
Find the division that matches your matter. Each links to the relevant forms and contacts.
Circuit Court Division
Felony criminal cases and higher-value civil disputes.
- Felony arraignments and trials
- Civil cases above the associate limit
- Appeals from associate divisions
Associate Circuit Division
Misdemeanors and smaller civil claims.
- Misdemeanor and ordinance matters
- Small claims and landlord-tenant
- Civil claims under the statutory limit
Family Court Division
Domestic relations and juvenile matters.
- Dissolution of marriage, custody, and support
- Adoption and guardianship of minors
- Juvenile delinquency and protection
Probate Division
Estates and protective proceedings.
- Decedents' estates, wills, and trusts
- Adult guardianship and conservatorship
- Involuntary treatment proceedings
Treatment & Drug Courts
Supervised, treatment-based alternatives to traditional sentencing for eligible participants.
- Adult drug court
- Veterans treatment court
- Family recovery court
Circuit Clerk's Office
The official record-keeper for the Circuit.
- Accepts filings and maintains case files
- Issues certified copies and records
- Processes payments and fee waivers
Judicial officers
The Circuit has 38 judicial officers presiding across its divisions. The directory below shows the structure of the bench. Individual judges and their division assignments would be populated from the Court's roster.
| Role | Division | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Presiding Judge | Circuit administration | Kansas City |
| Circuit Judge | Circuit Court (criminal) | Kansas City |
| Circuit Judge | Circuit Court (civil) | Kansas City |
| Circuit Judge | Family Court | Kansas City |
| Associate Circuit Judge | Associate Circuit | Independence |
| Associate Circuit Judge | Probate | Kansas City |
| Commissioner | Family Court (juvenile) | Kansas City |
Language access & interpreters
Court interpreters are provided at no cost in any case. If you or a witness needs an interpreter or translated materials, request one as far ahead of your hearing as possible so the Court can arrange it.
Self-represented help
If you do not have a lawyer, the Court provides plain-language forms and instructions for many common matters. Staff cannot give legal advice, but can help you find the right form.
Division descriptions reflect the Court's actual jurisdiction (criminal, civil, family, juvenile, probate). The judicial-officer table is a structural placeholder: in production it would be a managed content type so staff can update assignments without a developer. We avoided inventing real judge names.