--- title: "Thomas N. Chapman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-n-chapman-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-western-district-mo" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Thomas N. Chapman Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District · Judge ## Profile - Court: Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District - 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-n-chapman-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-western-district-mo", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-n-chapman-judge-missouri-court-of-appeals-western-district-mo", "name": "Thomas N. Chapman | KnowJudges", "description": "Thomas N. Chapman, Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District. 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Welsh - Before his appellate appointment, Chapman held the role of a judge of the 43rd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri from 2010 to 2018, including as presiding judge from 2012 to 2018. ### Education ### Additional information - He was re‐elected in the November 3, 2020 retention election with 71.7% of the vote. - Beyond his judicial role, Chapman has held leadership positions in the Chillicothe Rotary Club (past president), Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce (Person of the Year, 2018), and various local boards and volunteer programs - He was first elected to the circuit court in 2010 and re‐elected in 2012. - Prior to that, he practiced law for 19 years in private practice with Chapman, Cowherd, Turner & Tschannen in Livingston County, Missouri - He has also served on the Missouri Criminal Justice Task Force, the Missouri Sentencing Advisory Commission, and the Chillicothe Area Arts Council ## 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.