--- title: "Thomas H. Newton | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-newton-7731" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Thomas H. Newton Missouri Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri Court of Appeals - State: Missouri - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Missouri Court of Appeals, 1999-present - Circuit Judge on the 16th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County (1993–1999) - Appointed circuit judge on the 16th Judicial Circuit in September 1993 - In 1987, he became an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District - Began his legal career in 1984 as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Jackson County ### Education - Howard University School of Law in and a bachelor’s degree from Howard University — J.D. (1977) - Howard University — B.A. ### Additional information - In the 2012 survey, attorneys rated him highly across all categories, with no score below 4.14/5 - Over two decades, including as Chief Judge from 2008 to 2010. - Joined the Missouri Court of Appeals in November 1999 by then‐Governor Mel Carnahan. - He also clerked for the late Judge Lewis W. Clymer - Newton’s opinions were consistently well‐reasoned, fact‐driven, and aligned with established case law. ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7731/thomas-h-newton/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7731/thomas-h-newton/) - [Missouri Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7731/thomas-h-newton/) - [Missouri Court Operating Rule 16.04, Technical](https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=354) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7731/thomas-h-newton/) - [Thomas Newton - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_Newton#:~:text=Newton%20began%20his%20legal%20career,to%20the%20court%20of%20appeals.) - [Judge Thomas H. Newton retiring from Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District](https://themissouritimes.com/judge-thomas-h-newton-retiring-from-missouri-court-of-appeals-western-district) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-newton-7731", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-newton-7731", "name": "Thomas H. Newton | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas H. Newton, Missouri Court of Appeals. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-newton-7731#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-newton-7731#judge", "name": "Thomas H. 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Newton", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-h-newton-7731" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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.