--- title: "Benjamin E. Thompson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Benjamin E. Thompson Missouri 42nd Judicial Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 42nd Judicial Circuit Court - State: Missouri - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media equipment advance approval Scope: statewide Missouri Court Operating Rule 16 requires advance approval for media equipment used for courtroom coverage and allows the judge to control the number and setup of media personnel and equipment. Evidence excerpt: Failure to obtain advance approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding. [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### device use in courtroom Scope: statewide Missouri courtroom device use for media coverage is not generally permitted unless authorized by the operating rule, a local court rule, or the judge presiding in the proceeding. Evidence excerpt: No person may use any device capable of media coverage in a courtroom or court clerk's office unless specifically authorized [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### audio video recording Scope: statewide Missouri allows limited video and audio recording for media coverage under COR 16 technical limits, subject to judicial approval and courtroom controls. Evidence excerpt: Not more than one videographer, using a single device, shall be permitted in the courtroom during a judicial proceeding at any time. [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf) - [Official roster](https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf) - [Missouri Secretary of State Official Manual official judicial roster](https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf) - [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Benjamin E. Thompson | KnowJudges", "description": "Benjamin E. Thompson, Missouri 42nd Judicial Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge", "name": "Benjamin E. Thompson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Missouri 42nd Judicial Circuit Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Missouri", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/missouri" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Benjamin E. Thompson", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/benjamin-e-thompson-judge-missouri-42nd-judicial-circuit-court-mo" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Incumbent in the 2026 Missouri General Election for Reynolds County Associate Circuit Court Judge - Before joining the judiciary, Thompson was Prosecuting Attorney for Reynolds County (elected 2015) ### Education ### Additional information - He was appointed by former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on April 28, 2016 and re‐elected in November 2018 - Served in the Missouri Army National Guard (Military Police, 1998–2007) and is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom - He also practiced law at Thompson Law, LLC and was a partner at Hackworth, Ferguson & Thompson, LLC He has been active in legal organizations, including the Missouri Association of Associate Circuit Judges and the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, and contributed to the Missouri Fostering Court Improvement Project - 42nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, which includes Reynolds, Crawford, Dent, Iron, and Wayne counties ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-b0a3408119d84bbcc3619511) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354). Collected 2026-07-26.