Missouri's first constitution was adopted July 19, 1820 – more than a year before Missouri was admitted as the 24th state of the union August 10, 1821. 

Article V, section 1 of the 1820 constitution provided that "the judicial powers as to matters of law and equity, shall be vested in a 'Supreme Court' in a 'Chancellor' in 'Circuit Courts,' and in such inferior tribunals as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish. Article V remains the article pertaining to the courts in today's state constitution.

Missouri's 1820 constitution divided original jurisdiction (power to hear and decide cases) over criminal and civil cases, giving the circuit courts original jurisdiction over all criminal cases and the "courts of chancery" jurisdiction over certain civil cases. For example, the chancery courts had original and appellate jurisdiction over "all matters of equity" and "general control ... subject to appeal" over cases involving probate estates, guardianships, minors and executions of civil judgments. Today, chancery courts no longer exist, and circuit courts have original jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. 

The 1820 constitution gave the Supreme Court of Missouri jurisdiction over only appellate cases, but it also bestowed the Court with "control over all inferior courts of law." Today, the state's highest court continues to hear appeals and exercise "superintending authority" over all the state's lower courts.

The 1820 constitution is available through the Missouri Digital Heritage website of the Missouri State Archives. 

Image: Missouri Constitution, 1820. Image courtesy of Missouri Digital Heritage website, Missouri State Archives Missouri State Archives and Missouri State Librarian, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, Missouri.