Don E. Burkell at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- Missouri Court of Appeals
- Current assignment
- Missouri Court of Appeals
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Don E. Burkell
Judge · Missouri Court of Appeals
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, 2008-present
- Don E. Burkell, also known as Donald Eugene Burrell Jr., is a judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, serving from 2008 until March 1, 2026, and re‐elected in 2022
- Joined the Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District in March 2008 after serving as a circuit judge in the 31st Judicial Circuit (Greene County) for nine years.
Education
Additional information
- His term ended March 1, 2026, when he was succeeded by Joe Hensley
- He was re‐elected in a 2022 retention election with 75.7% of the vote.
- Burkell has served on the Grace Classical Academy Board, Victory Trade School Community Advisory Committee, as an Elder at Grace Chapel, and participated in Greene County Teen Court and Kids Court programs
- Vice‐chair of the Missouri Judiciary’s Legislative Committee; member of the Trial Judge Education Committee
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media Equipment Advance Approval
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.
Failure to obtain advance approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding.Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Device Use In Courtroom
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.
No person may use any device capable of media coverage in a courtroom or court clerk's office unless specifically authorizedMissouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Missouri allows limited video and audio recording for media coverage under COR 16 technical limits, subject to judicial approval and courtroom controls.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical
Missouri Court of Appeals
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Missouri Court of Appeals current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View Missouri Court of Appeals current judicial profile ↗Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗