Scott County Court Docket
Scott County court docket records are kept by Circuit Clerk Stacey Naile at the 33rd Judicial Circuit courthouse in Benton. The 33rd Circuit serves both Scott and Mississippi Counties in southeast Missouri. You can search Scott County court docket entries for free on Missouri Case.net or visit the clerk's office at 131 S. Winchester Street in Benton. The circuit handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases for all of Scott County, including the towns of Sikeston, Chaffee, Scott City, Oran, and Benton itself.
Scott County Court Docket Quick Facts
Scott County Circuit Clerk Office
Circuit Clerk Stacey Naile runs the Scott County court docket records office. The courthouse is at 131 S. Winchester Street in Benton. Call (573) 545-3596 to reach the clerk's office. Staff can help locate case files, check court dates, and process copy requests.
The 33rd Judicial Circuit covers Scott County and Mississippi County. Judges serve both counties, so the schedule rotates between the Benton courthouse and the Mississippi County courthouse in Charleston. This means a judge hearing your Scott County case might also have dates in Mississippi County that same week. Always check the schedule before going to the courthouse so you do not show up on the wrong day.
Scott County has several municipal courts in addition to the circuit court. Towns like Sikeston, Chaffee, Kelso, Miner, Morley, Oran, Scott City, and Benton each run their own municipal courts for local ordinance and traffic violations. Municipal court docket entries for cases filed after January 1, 2021, are also available through Case.net.
The 33rd Judicial Circuit page on the Missouri Courts website has contact information, court schedules, and forms for Scott County filings.
The Missouri Courts site at courts.mo.gov is the central hub for court information statewide, including the 33rd Circuit serving Scott County.
| Office | Scott County Circuit Clerk, 33rd Judicial Circuit |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Stacey Naile |
| Address | 131 S. Winchester St., Benton, MO 63736 |
| Phone | (573) 545-3596 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | 33rd Judicial Circuit |
Search Scott County Court Docket Online
Missouri Case.net is the main tool for searching Scott County court docket records from your computer. Go to courts.mo.gov/cnet and select Scott County or the 33rd Judicial Circuit. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. No registration needed.
Case.net displays the parties in each case, every filing and motion, any judgments, and dates for upcoming hearings. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2023, can be viewed directly online. Before that cutoff, you see the docket text but not the actual document. The "Track This Case" feature sends you email or text alerts when new activity hits a Scott County court docket you are watching.
For older records or anything not in the electronic system, go to the courthouse in Benton with a valid photo ID. The clerk can look up cases by name or number. Copy fees are generally $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies run higher. You can also send a written request by mail with a check for the estimated fees.
Note: Some Scott County court docket records predate the electronic filing system and are only available in person at the Benton courthouse.
Case Types on the Scott County Docket
The 33rd Judicial Circuit processes a wide variety of cases in Scott County. Civil lawsuits include contract disputes, property disagreements, personal injury claims, and small claims up to $5,000. Criminal cases cover everything from felonies and misdemeanors to violations of probation. Family court docket entries come from divorce, custody, child support, and protection order filings.
Probate cases in Scott County deal with wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Juvenile cases are also heard in the 33rd Circuit, though those records are closed to the public. Traffic matters range from simple tickets handled in associate division to more serious charges like DWI that go before a circuit judge. The list below shows the most common types of cases on the Scott County court docket:
- Civil lawsuits and small claims
- Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases
- Family law matters including divorce and custody
- Probate, estate, and guardianship cases
- Traffic and DWI charges
Scott County Court Docket Public Access
Court docket records in Scott County are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law, found at Chapter 610 RSMo. Anyone can request access. You do not have to be involved in the case and you do not have to explain your reason for looking.
Certain information is redacted before records go public. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and some details about minors are removed per Court Operating Rule 2. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and mental health proceedings remain closed. If the clerk says no to your request, you are entitled to a written reason. You can then file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General or go to circuit court to challenge the denial.
The judgments and civil procedure statutes under Chapter 511 RSMo outline the rules for how court records in Scott County and across Missouri are maintained and accessed.
Legal Help in Scott County
Legal Services of Southern Missouri provides free civil legal aid to qualifying residents of Scott County. They handle family law, housing, consumer, and benefits cases. The Missouri Bar Lawyer Referral Service can help you find a private attorney in the 33rd Circuit area.
For people handling their own cases, the Missouri Courts website has approved forms. Self Represent Missouri at selfrepresent.mo.gov walks you through common family law filings step by step. Court staff in Scott County can explain the filing process and help you check your court docket, but they cannot give legal advice about your case or tell you what to do next.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Scott County or share the 33rd Judicial Circuit. Verify which county has jurisdiction over your case before searching court docket records.