What is the highest court in Missouri?

The highest court in Missouri is the Missouri Supreme Court. This court serves as the final arbiter of state law and has the ultimate authority in interpreting the Missouri Constitution. As the apex court, it primarily handles cases that involve significant legal questions or where there is a dispute about the interpretation of Missouri law.

The Missouri Supreme Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over certain cases, including those involving the death penalty and cases in which a law or constitutional provision is challenged. Additionally, it oversees the practice of law within the state, including the regulation of attorneys and the administration of the court system.

In contrast, the Missouri Court of Appeals, while it is a vital appellate court, functions beneath the Supreme Court and typically handles the majority of appellate cases in the state, providing quicker resolutions for cases that do not fall under the Supreme Court's direct jurisdiction. The circuit court is the trial court level for most legal matters, and the district court refers to federal district courts, which operate under a different jurisdiction than state courts.