--- title: "Joe Hensley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-hensley-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Joe Hensley Missouri 29th Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 29th Judicial Circuit Court - State: Missouri - Role: Circuit Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## 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) - [Governor Kehoe Announces Two Judicial Appointments](https://governor.mo.gov/press-releases/archive/governor-kehoe-announces-two-judicial-appointments-4) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-hensley-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-hensley-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Joe Hensley | KnowJudges", "description": "Joe Hensley, Missouri 29th Judicial Circuit Court. 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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.