Howell County Circuit Court cases in Howell County, West Plains, MO
Howell County Circuit Court in West Plains, Missouri, is the state circuit court (trial court of general jurisdiction) for Howell County within Missouri's 37th Judicial Circuit. It serves as the primary forum for cases arising in the county, including felony and misdemeanor criminal matters; general civil lawsuits; domestic relations and family law (divorce, custody, support); probate and estate administration; juvenile and child protection cases; small claims; traffic and other infractions; and orders of protection. Its associate circuit division handles small claims, misdemeanors, traffic, and preliminary hearings in felony cases, while the circuit, probate, and juvenile divisions address higher-level civil, criminal, and specialized matters. The court also hears appeals from municipal divisions.
Howell County Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Howell |
| Street Address: | 106 Courthouse |
| City: | West Plains |
| Zip Code: | 65775 |
| Phone: | 417-256-4050 |
| Hours: | Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm |
| Website URL: | https://howellcounty.net/circuit-clerk/ |
| Forms & Filing: | eFiling |
| Divisions / Services: | 37th Judicial Circuit Adult Treatment Court - 417-256-2432 |
| Jury Service: | Jury Information - 417-256-7505 |
| Languages: | Multiple |
| ADA: | Suzanne Adams |
| ADA Phone: | 417-256-4050 |
| ADA Fax / Email: | Suzanne.Adams@courts.mo.gov |
Services and Case Types Handled in Howell County Circuit Court
Howell County Circuit Court (Missouri) serves as the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. It accepts and maintains filings for criminal (felony/misdemeanor), civil (torts, contracts, small claims), family (dissolution, paternity, child support), juvenile, probate (estates, guardianships, conservatorships), traffic/ordinance, and appeals from municipal divisions. The Circuit Clerk manages case initiation, docketing, records access, certified copies, filing fees, and scheduling. The court issues and hears orders of protection (adult/child, stalking, domestic), including ex parte and full orders. Jury services include summons, qualification, orientation, check-in, and juror payment/deferral requests. The court conducts arraignments, motions, conferences, trials (bench/jury), sentencings, and review hearings. Additional public services include fines and costs payment, forms and self-represented litigant assistance, warrants/bond processing, and restitution. Many records and dockets are available via Missouri Case.net; filings commonly use Missouri eFiling.