--- title: "Bruce F. Hilton | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bruce-f-hilton-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Bruce F. Hilton Missouri 18th Judicial Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 18th 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/bruce-f-hilton-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/bruce-f-hilton-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Bruce F. Hilton | KnowJudges", "description": "Bruce F. Hilton, Missouri 18th Judicial Circuit Court. 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Wallace ### Education - Both his B.A. and J.D. from Saint Louis University. ### Additional information - In this case, Hilton carefully weighed evidence and testimony to ensure a fair judicial process - He handles family court, domestic violence, and pro-se cases and is involved in administrative initiatives to improve court efficiency, such as implementing dual grand juries to reduce case backlogs in St. Louis County - Judge Hilton has presided over high-profile cases, including the Marcellus Williams case, where he conducted hearings on motions to vacate a death row conviction. - He has been evaluated positively by the Missouri Judicial Evaluations Committee, with 100% of the committee voting that he substantially meets overall judicial performance standards. - Beyond the courtroom, Hilton is active in community organizations such as the Black Sheep Foundation, Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and Friends of Kids with Cancer - Before his judicial appointment, he held the role of the managing partner of the Hilton Law Group and held leadership roles including member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors, president of the St. Louis County Bar Association, and chair of the 21st Judicial Circuit Evaluation Committee ## 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.