--- title: "Thomas A. McCarthy | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-mccarthy-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Thomas A. McCarthy 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/thomas-a-mccarthy-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-mccarthy-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo", "name": "Thomas A. McCarthy | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas A. McCarthy, 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/thomas-a-mccarthy-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-mccarthy-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo#judge", "name": "Thomas A. McCarthy", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-mccarthy-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": "Thomas A. McCarthy", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-a-mccarthy-judge-missouri-18th-judicial-circuit-court-mo" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Began his judicial career as an associate circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri in 2018, appointed by former Governor Eric Greitens, and was later elevated to circuit judge in 2022 by Governor Mike Parson, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge David L. Dowd - He also held the role of an assistant prosecuting attorney for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office from 2008 to 2014 and as an assistant city counselor for the St. Louis City Counselor’s Office from 2014 to 2016 ### Education - Bachelor of Science in Finance from Truman State University - Saint Louis University School of Law — J.D. ### Additional information - He was retained in 2024 and currently presides over cases in St. Louis City, including family law and personal injury matters - He was admitted to practice law in Missouri in 2004 and Illinois in 2005 - He is a lifelong resident of St. Louis City, reflecting a strong local connection to the community he serves - Before joining the bench, McCarthy worked in private practice at TuckerAllen LLC. - He is a member of professional organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis ## 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.