GENERAL INFORMATION
| NOTE: The local court rules noted below are provided in Adobe PDF format. You will need the Adobe Reader in order to view them. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed, please visit the Adobe web site at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ |  |
Hours of Operation & Holidays
Court offices are generally staffed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday each week except for the following observed holidays:
| New Year's Day | First day of January |
| Martin Luther King Day | Third Monday in January |
| Lincoln's Birthday | Twelfth day of February |
| Washington's Birthday | Third Monday in February |
| Truman's Birthday | Eighth day of May |
| Memorial Day | Last day in May |
| Independence Day | Fourth day of July |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September |
| Columbus Day | Second Monday in October |
| Veteran's Day | Eleventh day of November |
| Thanksgiving Day | Fourth Thursday in November |
| Christmas Day | Twenty-fifth day of December |
NOTE: In the event that a holiday falls on a Saturday, such holiday shall be observed on the preceding Friday. In the event that a holiday falls on a Sunday, such holiday shall be observed on the following Monday.
Contact Information
Please see our Contact Information page.
ADA Accommodations
The 13th Judicial Circuit will take appropriate steps to ensure everyone has access to its services, programs and activities.
ADA Auxiliary Aids and Services
The 13th Circuit will furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from services, programs, or activities conducted by the court. These “auxiliary aids and services” may include:
- large print materials,
- qualified interpreters for persons who are deaf,
- Ubi Duo communication device,
- written materials,
- assistive listening devices,
- other effective methods of making written or orally delivered materials available to individuals who are blind or deaf.
Individuals with a disability may request the reasonable auxiliary aid or service of his or her choice and will give primary consideration to the choice expressed by the individual. A reasonable effort will be made to accommodate the request.
Requesting Auxiliary Aids or Services
Please give the court at least 5 days notice in advance of the request for auxiliary aids or services. For emergencies or urgent requests, the court should be notified immediately. The best effort to fulfill the request will be made.
All requests for auxiliary aids or services in Boone or Callaway county courthouses should be directed to the ADA Coordinator:
Mary Epping
Assistant to the Court Administrator
Boone County Courthouse
705 E. Walnut St.
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4059
Fax: (573) 886-4070
Wheelchair Accessible
The Boone and Callaway county courthouses both have ramps leading to the front doors and elevators are available inside.
Grievances
If you feel that you have been discriminated against because of your disability, you may file a complaint with the ADA Coordinator.
Courthouse Wireless Internet Access
Both the Boone County Courthouse and the Callaway County Courthouse provide wireless access to the internet in most public areas of the courthouses. Use of the wireless access is limited to attorneys and to authorized news media only. Wireless internet access is NOT provided for the general public, jurors, litigants or other case participants.
Attorneys - Any attorney wishing to utilize the wireless network may follow the instructions located on the 'For Attorneys' page.
Media - Representatives of the news media wishing to utilize the wireless network may follow the instructions located on the 'Media' page.
Courtroom Decorum
Courtroom Decorum and Dress
In an effort to maintain the dignity and respect afforded to the courtroom, the following decorum and dress guidelines are expected to be upheld by parties and the public while in a courthouse:
- Counsel is expected to dress appropriately and shall inform the parties and any prospective witness that appropriate dress shall be required. (Local Court Rule 9.4)
- Hats shall not be worn in the courtroom.
- Courtrooms may be warmer or cooler than outside temperatures, plan clothing accordingly.
- No food or drink is allowed in the courtrooms.
- Unless otherwise specifically permitted by the court, only counsel, parties and court personnel may appear within the bar. (Local Court Rule 9.5)
- Do not approach the bench until the judge calls your case.
- Persons waiting for their case to be called shall remain respectful to the court and other parties by remaining quiet in the gallery and hallways of the court.
- If you are unable to find your case on the docket, go to the clerk’s office.
- Children and babies who are crying or otherwise making loud noise may be taken into an attorney conference room outside of the courtroom for privacy.
Electronic Devices
(Local Court Rule 9.6)All electronic devices shall be turned off upon entering the courtrooms, unless otherwise directed by the court. Pagers must be turned off or placed on a silent mode upon entering the courtrooms. An electronic device is any device capable of capturing pictures or a video image, recording sound, or of transmitting or receiving information or electronic signals, including, but not limited to: cell phones, pagers, PDA’s, computers, audio recorders, and cameras. Persons reporting for jury selection or jury duty are prohibited from bringing any electronic device into the courthouse. Failure to observe these rules shall result in the electronic device being confiscated by the court marshal and may be retrieved later.
Security
Weapons
Firearms are not allowed in the courthouse, including conceal and carry weapons. Other weapons shall be declared at the security station in the Boone County Courthouse and will be kept and the owner will be given a card for their item. The individual may retrieve their weapon upon leaving the courthouse. Weapons include, but are not limited to: guns, knives, tasers, swiss army knives (including those on key chains), mace or pepper spray (including those on key chains), brass knuckles, and hand tools (screw drivers, etc).
Cell Phones
Cell phones must be turned off upon entering the courtroom please see “Electronic Devices” above for more information. Cell phones with cameras will not be confiscated, however, if a cell phone is used to take photos, it will be seized by a court marshal.
Cameras and Audio Recorders
Cameras and audio recorders are not permitted in the courthouse excepted for approved members of the media. Personal cameras and audio records will be confiscated upon entering the Boone County Courthouse at the security station. A court marshal at the security station will give the owner a card and, when the owner leaves, he or she may pick up their belongings from the security station by returning the card to the court marshal.
Lost and Found
If an item is lost in the courthouse, please contact the marshal’s office at (573) 886-4079 in Boone County, or (573) 642-0781 in Callaway County. If you find an item you believe is lost, please give it to a court marshal.
Fingerprints for Probate Court
The Boone County Court Marshals takes fingerprints for Probate Court. To schedule your fingerprints, please call (573) 886-4075.
The Callaway County Sheriff’s office handles fingerprints for Callaway County Probate Cases. To schedule your fingerprints, please call (573) 642-7291.
Reporting an Incident
To report an incident in the Boone County Courthouse, please call (573) 886-4079, in the Callaway County Courthouse, please call (573) 642-0781. In an emergency call 911.
Law Enforcement Personnel Appearing for Personal Business
Law enforcement personnel appearing at the court for personal business are not allowed to bring their issued weapon and are required to pass through the metal detector.