Circuit Court divisions to consolidate before Jan. 1

This article will address some of the changes taking place in your courts as a result of the state’s budget shortfalls and other factors.

The Supreme Court of Missouri, who exercises supervisory authority over all courts of this state, mandated that before Jan. 1, 2010, all divisions of the circuit court of all counties in the state shall be consolidated. Court consolidation generally is the merging of all divisions into one office with one central filing location, one checking account, and one budget with the stated goal of lowering costs.

Since the last major overhaul of our court system in the seventies, the circuit court has consisted of several divisions.

In Daviess County the associate, probate, small claims, municipal, and traffic violations bureau divisions, and supervision of the three clerks within them, were under the supervision of the associate circuit judge. The associate circuit judge also had the responsibility for the creation and maintenance of all files, preparation of the budget, and all monies collected and disbursed within those divisions.

The circuit clerk had similar duties for the circuit court, known as Division I, child support, and juvenile divisions, and the supervision of the deputy clerk.

The Circuit Court of Daviess County will consolidate effective Nov. 1, 2009, and will result in few changes immediately noticeable by the public. The associate circuit judge’s office will still be located on the second floor, room six, of the courthouse. One of the main benefits to the public will be a single office for all inquiries, filings, and making payments. The circuit court files will still be located on the second and third floors, but only one office will be open to the public.

The circuit clerk will at that time be solely responsible for the maintenance of all files, all monies, the circuit court budget, and all supervisory duties of the various division clerks.