--- title: "John Torbitzky | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-torbitzky-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-eastern-district-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # John Torbitzky Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District - 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/john-torbitzky-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-eastern-district-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-torbitzky-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-eastern-district-mo", "name": "John Torbitzky | KnowJudges", "description": "John Torbitzky, Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. 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Torbitzky is a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, appointed in 2021, retained in 2022 for a 12‐year term ending December 31, 2034, and elected in June 2025 as the court’s chief judge for one year - Official court page: Missouri Courts – Judge John P. Torbitzky Missouri Courts - As chief judge, Torbitzky will preside over court en banc meetings, oversee court administration, and represent the court publicly ### Education ### Additional information - He was retained in a nonpartisan retention election on November 8, 2022, winning with 64.4% of the vote. - Appointed by Governor Michael L. Parson on August 12, 2021 to replace Mary Kathryn Hoff. - Private practice (2014–2021) as owner/member of Reichardt Torbitzky LLC - He received Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s “Up and Coming” Award in 2018 - He has participated in Federalist Society events and civic education initiatives - Torbitzky is active in The Missouri Bar, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, St. Louis County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. - He has served on the Missouri Court Automation Committee, the Supreme Court Committee on Civic Education, and the National Courts and Sciences Institute’s Data Science & AI Strategic Initiative. ## 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.