---
title: "Michael R. Leamer | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Michael R. Leamer

Missouri 43rd Judicial Circuit Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Missouri 43rd 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.

## 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-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo",
      "name": "Michael R. Leamer | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Michael R. Leamer, Missouri 43rd Judicial Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-26",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge",
      "name": "Michael R. Leamer",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Missouri 43rd Judicial Circuit Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/bluebook/2025-2026/5_Judicial.pdf"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Missouri",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/missouri"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Michael R. Leamer",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-r-leamer-judge-missouri-43rd-judicial-circuit-court-mo"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge: Associate Circuit Court Judge, 43rd Judicial Circuit (2019–present)
- He succeeded James Valbracht, who served as associate circuit judge since 2006
- The Associate Circuit Court Judge for Missouri’s 43rd Judicial Circuit, serving Livingston County and other counties in the circuit, with a term running until December 31, 2026
- Attorney: Cleaveland, Macoubrie, & Cox, Chillicothe, MO (2000–2018)
- Leamer holds the office of Associate Circuit Court Judge – Circuit 43 in Missouri, which covers Livingston, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, and DeKalb counties

### Education

- University of Missouri–Columbia — J.D.

### Additional information

- He was elected to the position in 2018 for a term that expires at the end of 2026
- Other judicial service: 14 years as a municipal judge for the City of Polo
- Bachelor of Science in Education



## 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.