--- title: "Matthew Houston | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-houston-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Matthew Houston Missouri 20th Judicial Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 20th 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office ### Education - Saint Louis University School of Law the biographical record — J.D. - B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice — University of Missouri–St. Louis the biographical record ### Additional information - As of 2026, Houston continues to serve as - His term runs through 2026 - Appointed 2022 to replace Judge David L. Hoven Missouri Lawyers Media - from 2015 to 2022 - He began in traffic and misdemeanor cases, later handling domestic violence charges, and by 2018 was prosecuting felonies - Judge Matthew W. Houston — Biography - , filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David L. Hoven - Assistant Prosecuting Attorney - After law school, he practiced - Extensive prosecutorial experience in Franklin County the biographical record - Background in both public service and private legal practice the biographical record - in St. Louis County to help fund his education - , covering Franklin, Gasconade, and Osage Counties - family law - Pacific, Missouri - police dispatcher ## 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/matthew-houston-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-houston-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Matthew Houston | KnowJudges", "description": "Matthew Houston, Missouri 20th 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.