---
title: "Clifford H. Ahrens | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/clifford-h-ahrens-7683"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Clifford H. Ahrens

Missouri Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Missouri Court of Appeals
- State: Missouri
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, 1991-present
- Distinguished judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, serving from 1991 until his retirement in 2015, and later as a senior judge until 2022
- Between 1996 and 1997, he was the court’s chief judge

### Education

- University of Missouri-Columbia — J.D.

### Additional information

- After retiring, he continued as a senior judge until 2022
- He was retained by Missouri voters in 1992 and 2004, and served until his retirement in 2015.
- He received the Missouri Judicial Conference Special Recognition Award (1999) and Hannibal Kiwanian of the Year (1983–84)
- Joined the Missouri Court of Appeals in February 1991 by then-Governor John Ashcroft.
- J.D. in 1969.
- Born December 19, 1945, in Hannibal, Missouri, Ahrens graduated cum laude with a B.S. in public administration from the University of Missouri–Columbia in 1967
- Crawford & Co..
- Also active in statewide court automation initiatives
- Practiced law in Hannibal for 21 years before his judicial appointment Missouri Courts

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7683/clifford-h-ahrens/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7683/clifford-h-ahrens/)
- [Missouri Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7683/clifford-h-ahrens/)
- [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7683/clifford-h-ahrens/)

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## 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.