Nicole M. Carlton at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Missouri · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nicole M. Carlton
Biography
Professional career
- She later ran her own practice, Carlton Law Firm, LLC, until her judicial appointment in January 2025
- Governor Mike Parson appointed Nicole Carlton as Associate Circuit Judge for the 29th Judicial Circuit in October 2024, filling the vacancy left by Joseph L. Hensley’s election as Circuit Judge
- Her family has a strong judicial legacy, with her father having retired as a Jasper County judge in 2018.
- Sworn in by her father, retired Jasper County Judge Stephen Carlton, marking a historic moment as the first instance in the region where a judge’s direct offspring also serves on the bench
Education
- Nicole Carlton obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in International Economics with a minor in Spanish from the University of Arkansas in 2005, followed by a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2009.
Additional information
- Began her legal career at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, P.C., in Joplin, practicing general, civil, criminal, and family law.
- Her appointment continues the Carlton family’s presence in the local judiciary
- She is a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and the Carthage Rotary Club
- Judge Carlton has been active in the Jasper County Bar Association, serving in multiple leadership roles including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
- Beyond her legal work, she serves on several non-profit boards, including the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board and the Vision Carthage Economic Development Committee, and has participated in her parish council.
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 29th Judicial Circuit Court; Missouri 27th 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 ↗