Joe Don McGaugh at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joe Don McGaugh
Biography
Professional career
- Joe Don McGaugh is a former Associate Circuit Judge of Carroll County, Missouri, who was appointed in 2017 by Governor Eric Greitens and re‐elected in 2022
- Before his judicial role, he served in the Missouri House of Representatives (2013–2017), as a Carrollton city attorney (2011–2013), and as the owner of McGaugh Law Offices.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and political science from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law
Additional information
- In February 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court suspended McGaugh without pay for one year (March 1, 2025–February 28, 2026) after the Commission on the Retirement, Removal and Discipline of Judges found he engaged in misconduct and incompetency.
- A medical statement suggested a mental disability disorder could affect his judicial performance, but the commission said this was not a defense to misconduct, only a mitigating factor.
- McGaugh admitted to all allegations and sought a three‐month suspension under disability, proposing mental health counseling and new judge training.
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 8th Judicial Circuit Court
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 July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Missouri Secretary of State Official Manual official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Missouri Secretary of State Official Manual official judicial roster ↗Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical ↗