Joe Hensley at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joe Hensley
Circuit Judge · Missouri 29th Judicial Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Joseph L. Hensley was appointed on 2026-06-17 as Judge for Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District
- “Joe” Hensley is now a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, appointed by Governor Mike Kehoe in June 2026 to replace Don E. Burrell Jr
- Hensley assumed office on June 17, 2026 as a nonpartisan judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, a role that reviews trial court decisions in Jasper and Newton counties
- This appointment followed his 11 years as a judge in the 29th Judicial Circuit (Jasper County), where he held the role of Division 1 Circuit Judge after being elected in 2024
- 2019 – First Associate Judge in Jasper County appointed as Presiding Juvenile Court Judge
- 2014 – Elected Associate Circuit Judge, Division 5, Jasper County
Education
- bachelor’s degree — University of Missouri
- University of Missouri — J.D.
Additional information
- Early Career: Practiced law in Springfield for four years at Neale & Newman, LLP, then moved to Joplin in 2002, opening The Hensley Law Firm (later Hensley & Nicholas, L.L.C.)
- His appointment was widely supported by fellow judges, who cited his qualifications and record
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 29th 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 ↗Governor Kehoe Announces Two Judicial Appointments
Appointments, Elevation And Retirement source · HTML · Source checked October 6, 2026
View Governor Kehoe Announces Two Judicial Appointments ↗