Rule 18 Qualifying Topics
Out-of-state or other courses not previously approved for Rule 18 credit: As a general proposition, courses that deal with any of these topics will be approved by the Municipal Judge Education Committee for Rule 18 credit, assuming the course otherwise qualifies as an “accredited program or activity,” as define by Rule 18. When in doubt if a seminar applies to Rule 18, please contact the Municipal Judge Education Committee through Kristina Schulte at (573) 522-1389. For courses not previously approved by the Municipal Judge Education Committee for Rule 18 credit, please complete and submit the Application for Accreditation of a Continuing Education Program or Activity.
1. Criminal Procedure, Crimes, & Offenses (except matters dealing primarily or exclusively with felonies and the death penalty)
Examples: Arrest & search warrants/probable cause; Bail, bonds, bond forfeiture hearings, pre-trial releases; Bench trials; Complaints, summons, and information; Criminal procedure; Criminal law, in particular, misdemeanor and traffic laws; Defendant’s rights in court Determining the elements of a crime; Discovery issues; Guilty pleas; Judgments; Jurisdictional issues; Ordinances; Pre-trial procedures (arraignments, continuances, judicial disqualification, pre-trial motions, etc.); Sentencing issues, including alternative sentencing and community service; Trial de novo
2. Evidence
Examples: Evidentiary trial objections; Review of evidence; Proof (reasonable doubt standard; defendant’s burden; municipality’s burden); Search warrants & motions to quash; Scientific evidence & admissibility issues
3. Substantive Law
Examples: Constitutional law; Civil rights legislation; Criminal law, generally (traffic, misdemeanor, ordinances, etc.-not felony or death penalty; Legislative updates (as they relate to municipal courts, e.g., traffic, misdemeanor, and other applications in municipal courts)
4. Courtroom Management
Examples: Contempt; Court security; Handling pro se defendants; Practical courtroom techniques
5. Judicial Ethics and Professionalism (Please note: Effective Jan. 1, 1996, only courses that deal directly with judicial ethics and professionalism, rather than legal ethics and professionalism will satisfy the requirements of Rule 18.05 (b).)
Examples: Code of Judicial Conduct; Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges; Courtroom decorum and demeanor; Fairness and justice, including bias in the court issues; Judicial immunity and liability; Stress and time management
6. The Legal and Judicial System
Examples: Legal system, generally Missouri court system; Role and function of the judiciary
7. Organizational Management
Examples: Caseflow management & docket control; Costs and fines (enforcement thereof); Record-keeping, generally
8. Intergovernmental Relations
Examples: Relations with other units of municipal government; Relations with other units of state government (e.g. State Highway Patrol, Department of Revenue, etc.)
9. Miscellaneous
Examples: Media relations; Overview of adult abuse (no case processing); Overview of substance abuse; Sunshine law
Out-of-state or other courses not previously approved for Rule 18 credit: As a general proposition, courses that deal with any of these topics will be approved by the Municipal Judge Education Committee for Rule 18 credit, assuming the course otherwise qualifies as an “accredited program or activity,” as define by Rule 18. When in doubt if a seminar applies to Rule 18, please contact the Municipal Judge Education Committee through Kristina Schulte at (573) 522-1389. For courses not previously approved by the Municipal Judge Education Committee for Rule 18 credit, please complete and submit the Application for Accreditation of a Continuing Education Program or Activity.
1. Criminal Procedure, Crimes, & Offenses (except matters dealing primarily or exclusively with felonies and the death penalty)
Examples: Arrest & search warrants/probable cause; Bail, bonds, bond forfeiture hearings, pre-trial releases; Bench trials; Complaints, summons, and information; Criminal procedure; Criminal law, in particular, misdemeanor and traffic laws; Defendant’s rights in court Determining the elements of a crime; Discovery issues; Guilty pleas; Judgments; Jurisdictional issues; Ordinances; Pre-trial procedures (arraignments, continuances, judicial disqualification, pre-trial motions, etc.); Sentencing issues, including alternative sentencing and community service; Trial de novo
2. Evidence
Examples: Evidentiary trial objections; Review of evidence; Proof (reasonable doubt standard; defendant’s burden; municipality’s burden); Search warrants & motions to quash; Scientific evidence & admissibility issues
3. Substantive Law
Examples: Constitutional law; Civil rights legislation; Criminal law, generally (traffic, misdemeanor, ordinances, etc.-not felony or death penalty; Legislative updates (as they relate to municipal courts, e.g., traffic, misdemeanor, and other applications in municipal courts)
4. Courtroom Management
Examples: Contempt; Court security; Handling pro se defendants; Practical courtroom techniques
5. Judicial Ethics and Professionalism (Please note: Effective Jan. 1, 1996, only courses that deal directly with judicial ethics and professionalism, rather than legal ethics and professionalism will satisfy the requirements of Rule 18.05 (b).)
Examples: Code of Judicial Conduct; Commission on Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges; Courtroom decorum and demeanor; Fairness and justice, including bias in the court issues; Judicial immunity and liability; Stress and time management
6. The Legal and Judicial System
Examples: Legal system, generally Missouri court system; Role and function of the judiciary
7. Organizational Management
Examples: Caseflow management & docket control; Costs and fines (enforcement thereof); Record-keeping, generally
8. Intergovernmental Relations
Examples: Relations with other units of municipal government; Relations with other units of state government (e.g. State Highway Patrol, Department of Revenue, etc.)
9. Miscellaneous
Examples: Media relations; Overview of adult abuse (no case processing); Overview of substance abuse; Sunshine law