--- title: "James F. Kanatzar | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-f-kanatzar-judge-missouri-15th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James F. Kanatzar Missouri 15th Judicial Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 15th 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/james-f-kanatzar-judge-missouri-15th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-f-kanatzar-judge-missouri-15th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "James F. Kanatzar | KnowJudges", "description": "James F. Kanatzar, Missouri 15th Judicial Circuit Court. 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(1992) - Bachelor of Arts in political science from Creighton University in 1989 ### Additional information - Peer and attorney surveys rate Judge Kanatzar highly for maintaining courtroom decorum, impartiality, preparedness, and demeanor, with scores often above 4.8 out of 5. - He also held leadership roles including trial team leader, chief trial assistant, and member of the homicide committee. - His community involvement includes work with Hospitality House, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Calvary Community Outreach Network, Calvary Temple Baptist Church, and youth programs such as CYO football coaching - Judge Kanatzar is a member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors, the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Eastern Jackson County Bar Association, and the Kansas Bar. - He has served on the Missouri Supreme Court’s Regional Disciplinary Committee and the Criminal Law Committee for the Missouri Bar. - The 16th Circuit Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee has consistently recommended his retention, noting that he substantially meets overall judicial performance standards ## 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.