Going to Court

Your Summons should state the date you are to appear in court. If you cannot find the date on the Summons, call the court clerk immediately and ask the clerk to tell you the court date.

Anytime you appear in court, you should speak politely and respectfully to all court staff and parties. If you have defenses, write your defenses down and file them with the court. Keep a photocopy of the documents you file with the court. Ask the court clerk to stamp your copy.  Give your landlord or landlord’s attorney a copy.

On your first court date, be prepared and bring all of your proof for whatever defense applies to your situation. You may or may not have a trial on that first day. Under Missouri law, you have the right to not have a trial on that first court date. You can ask the judge to set the case for trial at a later date. This is called requesting a continuance.