---
title: "Sean Pilliard | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Sean Pilliard

Missouri 18th Judicial Circuit Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Missouri 18th 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/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo",
      "name": "Sean Pilliard | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Sean Pilliard, Missouri 18th 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/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge",
      "name": "Sean Pilliard",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Missouri 18th 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": "Sean Pilliard",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/sean-pilliard-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- The newly appointed Associate Circuit Judge for Pettis County in Missouri’s 18th Judicial Circuit, sworn in in July 2025 after being named by Governor Mike Kehoe on June 27, 2025
- This marks a transition from private practice to the bench, with Pilliard emphasizing that as a judge he will apply the law to the facts rather than advocate for a client

### Education



### Additional information

- Formally sworn in on July 9, 2025, in Sedalia The City of Sedalia, Missouri.
- Governor Mike Kehoe announced Pilliard’s appointment to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge R. Paul Beard II.
- As Associate Circuit Judge, Pilliard will handle a range of cases, including probate, collections under $25,000, certain divorces, rent and possession disputes, municipal docket matters for Sedalia, orders of protection, and other local cases
- His appointment is seen as a continuation of his long-standing civic engagement and legal service in Pettis County
- A lifelong Missourian and native of Sedalia, Pilliard has been a practicing attorney for nearly 26 years, running the Law Offices of Sean P. Pilliard and handling bankruptcy, criminal defense, and family law matters.
- He is a member of the Pettis County Bar Association, Sedalia and Pettis County Economic Development, and the Sedalia Park Band board, and volunteers for local youth programs The City of Sedalia, Missouri



## 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.
