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title: "Ryan J. Helfrich | KnowJudges"
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# Ryan J. Helfrich

Missouri 20th Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: Missouri 20th Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Missouri
- Role: Circuit 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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Partner at Helfrich, Hotz, Brandt, LLC (2009–2022)
- Circuit judge for Division 2 of Missouri’s 20th Judicial Circuit, appointed by Governor Mike Parson in December 2021 to replace the retired Hon

### Education


### Additional information

- Certified in civil and family law mediation (2009)
- His legal work has included criminal, civil, family, estate planning, municipal law/prosecution, and mediation



## 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.