Michael J. Colona at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael J. Colona
Biography
Professional career
- Licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Illinois
- He has also worked as an adjunct professor of criminology at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
Education
- Saint Louis University in — J.D. (1994)
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Music from Truman State University in 1991
Additional information
- Colona held the role of a Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 2009 to 2017
- He did not seek re-election in 2016 due to term limits
- He began as a civil litigator in 1994 and later practiced criminal defense with The Stokely Group from 1999 to 2012.
- During his tenure, he held the position of House minority whip for the 96th General Assembly and was active in legislative matters, including advocacy on medical marijuana and Title IX rules.
- His courtroom handles status conferences, default hearings, non-contested hearings, and non-testimonial hearings in person, with specific procedures for scheduling and rescheduling matters
- He is a member of the Missouri Bar Board of Governors, serving as the Diversity Representative for District XI, and participates in the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Missouri Association of Probate & Associate Circuit Judges
- He then co-founded the law firm Colona & Gentle, where he held the role of managing attorney.
- representing first the 67th district and later the 80th district in St. Louis City.
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 22nd Judicial Circuit Court; Missouri 20th 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 September 25, 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 ↗