--- title: "George W. Draper III | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-03" --- # George W. Draper III 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 - Since October 23, 2023, Draper has held the role of Chief Training Officer at the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office, mentoring prosecutors and sharing his extensive legal experience - Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, 2011-present - Judge, Supreme Court of Missouri, 2011-present - The second African American justice on the court and became Chief Justice from July 2019 to June 2021 - Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District (2000–2011) - Before that, he was the first African American Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District (2004–2005) - Circuit Judge, St. Louis County (1998–2000) - Associate Circuit Judge, St. Louis County (1994–1998) - Before joining the bench, Draper served as a prosecuting attorney in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (1984–1994). - Retired Missouri Supreme Court justice and former Chief Justice, now serving as Chief Training Officer at the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office - Law clerk to Hon - His father, George Draper II, was a professor at Howard University, and his mother, Katherine, was a homemaker and community advocate ### Education ### Additional information - Retired on August 4, 2023, one day before the court’s mandatory retirement age of 70 - Draper served on the Supreme Court of Missouri from 2011 to 2023, appointed by Governor Jay Nixon. - George Draper Prior to joining the court, he served on the Missouri Court of Appeals from 2000 to 2011 and the Missouri 21st Judicial Circuit Court from 1994 to 2000. - legis, 2010-2010 - Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Draper obtained a B.A. in Psychology from Morehouse College (1977) and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law (1981). - Born August 5, 1953. - Date of birth: 1953-08-05 - Next, George Draper became a prosecuting attorney for the St. - He has also taught trial advocacy at St. Louis University School of Law for over 20 years CircuitAttorney - Draper is a member of the Missouri Bar, Mound City Bar Association, and other legal organizations. - He is also active in community service, including as vice president of Covenant Community Church and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. ## 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/7703/george-w-draper-iii/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7703/george-w-draper-iii/) - [Missouri Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7703/george-w-draper-iii/) - [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/7703/george-w-draper-iii/) - [George Draper](https://ballotpedia.org/George_Draper) - [George W. Draper III (1953- ) | BlackPast.org](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/george-w-draper-iii-1953#:~:text=He%20graduated%20from%20Morehouse%20College,figure%20in%20Missouri's%20legal%20landscape.) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703", "name": "George W. Draper III | KnowJudges", "description": "George W. Draper III, Missouri Court of Appeals. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-03", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703#judge", "name": "George W. Draper III", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Missouri Court of Appeals" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7703/george-w-draper-iii/" ], "birthDate": "1953-08-05", "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Morehouse College" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Howard University School of Law" } ] }, { "@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": "George W. Draper III", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/george-w-draper-iii-7703" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.