--- title: "Michael J. Colona | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-colona-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-09-25" --- # Michael J. Colona Missouri 22nd Judicial Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri 22nd Judicial Circuit Court - State: Missouri - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-09-25 ## 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/michael-j-colona-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-colona-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Michael J. Colona | KnowJudges", "description": "Michael J. Colona, Missouri 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. 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Colona", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-j-colona-judge-missouri-20th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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. ## 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.