Court records in Platte County, Missouri, are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's office and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the office. PlatteCourt.us allows for quick access to public information about county court cases. Additionally, you can use the Missouri Courts portal, contact the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit, or submit a public records request through the Platte County government's Sunshine Requests page.
Platte Court System Overview
Platte County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. This judicial circuit serves only Platte County, and the main court, the Circuit Court, is located in Platte City. In Missouri, the Circuit Court system combines functions that in other states are divided between district and magistrate courts: one Circuit Court handles both serious criminal cases and minor civil claims, family law, probate matters, and juvenile cases. Cases are assigned to Circuit Judges and Associate Circuit Judges depending on the category.
Courts Serving Platte
Residents of the county are served by several courts of different levels of jurisdiction.
State Court — Circuit Court
Federal District Court
Federal Bankruptcy Court
Municipal Courts
Municipal courts of individual cities operate within the county, including:
- Municipal Court of Riverside — handles violations of city ordinances within the 6th Judicial Circuit.
- Municipal Court of Parkville — cases regarding local rule violations; fines can be paid online through the Missouri Courts portal.
What Types of Cases Platte Courts Hear
The Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit has broad jurisdiction. Here are the main categories of cases:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Criminal | Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions |
| Civil | Claims of any amount, small claims |
| Family Law | Divorce, custody, child support, paternity |
| Probate | Inheritance, guardianship, conservatorship |
| Juvenile Matters | Delinquency, child protection, adoption |
| Traffic | Fines, DUI |
District Court Cases in Platte
In Missouri, there is no separate "district court" at the state level — the Circuit Court fulfills this role. Circuit Judges handle the most serious cases: felonies after preliminary hearings in the Associate Circuit Division, civil claims over $25,000, appeals from the Associate Circuit Division, and post-conviction proceedings. A criminal case is assigned to a Circuit Judge after an Associate Circuit Judge determines at a preliminary hearing that there is sufficient evidence. Cases are assigned to judges according to the internal rules of the 6th Judicial Circuit. The appointed Circuit Judge presides over the hearings.
Magistrate Court Cases in Platte
In Missouri, the functions of a magistrate court are performed by the Associate Circuit Division. An Associate Circuit Judge handles:
- Misdemeanors and infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims up to $5,000
- Traffic violation cases
- DUI cases — from the first hearing to trial
For small claims, the procedure is simplified: the plaintiff fills out a standard form at the clerk's office, and the case is usually scheduled for a hearing within 30–60 days. If the volume of cases is large, individual Associate Circuit Judges may specialize in certain categories — for example, exclusively on traffic cases or family law.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Platte
Family Law
Divorce (dissolution of marriage), custody determination, child support enforcement, paternity establishment, and protective orders are all handled by the Platte County Circuit Court. Marriage licenses are issued by the county Recorder of Deeds; general information about marriage and divorce can be found on the state portal. Information about marriage dissolutions is also maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Probate Matters
The Probate Division of the Circuit Court handles inheritance cases, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust issues. Applications are submitted to the court clerk's office in Platte City.
Juvenile Matters
The Juvenile Division deals with juvenile delinquency, child protection cases, and adoptions. Juvenile case records are confidential under Missouri law. For information, contact the Juvenile Office at the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit.
How Cases Move Through the Platte Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case is initiated by the prosecutor filing a complaint or information; a civil case by the plaintiff filing a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The clerk's office assigns the case to a Circuit Judge or Associate Circuit Judge based on the category and amount of the claim.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases — arraignment (reading of charges and determination of bail); in civil cases — scheduling conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase. Parties file motions, exchange evidence (discovery). In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or Settlement. The case concludes with a verdict, settlement, default judgment, or guilty plea.
- Post-Judgment. Sentencing, filing an appeal, or enforcing the court's decision.
You can track the status of a case through the Missouri Courts online system by selecting the 6th Judicial Circuit — Platte County.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Platte
The administration of the courts of the 6th Judicial Circuit is carried out by the Presiding Circuit Judge with the support of the Trial Court Administrator. Local court rules are published on the Missouri Courts portal in the section for the respective circuit.
Regarding public access: under Missouri law, most court records are open to the public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain documents restricted by court order. Requests for public records from the county government are governed by the Sunshine Law (RSMo Chapter 610).
Hearings are generally open to the public. Some sessions may be held remotely — check with the court clerk's office to see if video connection is available for a specific case.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Platte
- Online Case Search. The Missouri Courts portal (Case.net) allows searching for cases by number, party name, or date in the 6th Judicial Circuit.
- Criminal History Check. Through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS), you can order a fingerprint-based check; the total cost for state and FBI checks is $44.00.
- Arrest Reports. The Missouri State Highway Patrol publishes online arrest reports with county search options.
- Criminal Record Check. The CJIS Division of the state patrol provides a criminal record check service.
- Offender Search. The MODOC Offender Search and the Department of Corrections website allow you to find information about individuals under the supervision of the correctional system.
- Driver's License Records. A copy of a driving record can be ordered through the Missouri Department of Revenue.
- Vital Records. Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by the Bureau of Vital Records of Missouri.
- Archived Court Records. The Missouri State Archives holds historical documents of the Supreme Court, appellate, and district courts. Additional archival materials are available through the archives research portal.
- Sheriff's Office. The Platte County Sheriff's Office operates a 180-bed detention facility in Platte City and can provide information about inmates.
- Official County Website. The Platte County Missouri website contains contact information for all county government departments and links to services for residents.