Missouri Constitution Test
Judicial Branch
Consists of Supreme Court, Circuit, Municipal,
Appeals, etc.
Missouri Supreme Court
Highest court in MO
hears cases on appeal from
lower courts or transferred
from appeals court
Chief Justice presides over
court
7 justices
12 year terms
30 years old
U.S. citizen at least 15 years
qualified MO voter 9 years
The Missouri Circuit Courts
(trial courts)
• All cases under state law first come to
trial in one of the state’s Circuit Courts
• 4-year term of office for judges
• 44 Circuit Court districts
The MO Court of Appeals
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•
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Eastern district: 14 judges
Western district: 11 judges
Southern district: 7 judges
12-year term of office
hears cases on appeal from lower courts
Requirements
•must be at least 30 years old
•must be citizen of U.S. at least 15 years
•must be qualified MO voter at least 9 years
Examples of Local
Governments in Missouri
Municipalities
A municipality is an incorporated
local government, meaning it is
organized under Missouri law with
corporate and governmental
characteristics. Cities, villages,
and incorporated towns are
considered municipalities.
Examples of Local
Governments in Missouri, cont.
Townships
A township is a sub-administrative
unit of county government with
very limited powers. Usually, the
main function of a township is road
maintenance. There are 23
counties in Missouri with township
government, mostly located in the
northwest of the state.
Examples of Local
Governments in Missouri, cont.
Counties
A county is a sub-administrative
unit of state government. Counties
carry out crucial state functions
such as taxation and law
enforcement. There are 114
counties in Missouri.
Examples of Local
Governments in Missouri, cont.
Special Districts
A special district is usually a oneservice local government, but can
overlay other local government
entities. The most common
special districts in Missouri
provide fire protection, road
maintenance, and water supply.
Examples of Local
Governments in Missouri, cont.
School Districts
School districts administer and
provide for public education
within recognized governmental
systems. In Missouri, they
function under dual control of
local and state governmental
influences or mandates.
Missouri Constitution Test
Uniqueness of MO
o Our County – Christian
o County to the north –
Greene
o County where Branson is
located – Taney
Missouri Constitution Test
o Border states – North = Iowa, South =
Arkansas, East = Illinois, West –
Kansas.
o Population of MO – 6 million
IA
IL
KS
AR
FLAG OF MISSOURI
DESIGNED: Marie Elizabeth
Watkins Oliver
ADOPTED: 1913
RED STRIPE: Valor
WHITE STRIPE: Purity
BLUE STRIPE: Vigilance and
Justice
STARS IN A CIRCLE: 24th state
in the Union
The Bald Eagle grasping the olive branches of peace and the arrows of war in its talons. This represents the strength
and powers of the Federal Government. The small grizzly bear symbolizes the strength and bravery of the citizens of
the State. The crescent moon symbolizes the State of Missouri at the time of its induction into the union; a State with a
small population and wealth and huge potential. The crescent moon also symbolizes the "second son." Missouri was
the second State to be carved from the territory acquired with the Louisiana Purchase. The shield is encircled by a
belt inscribed "United we stand, divided we fall" indicating the advantage of the union of the United States. Two more
grizzly bears, one on each side of the shield, echo the bravery and strength of the State's citizens. They are standing
on a scroll displaying the Missouri State Motto, Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto (Let the welfare of the people be the
supreme law). Below the scroll are the Roman Numerals for 1820, the year that Missouri became a member of the
United States.
Above the shield a helmet is depicted, representing Missouri as a sovereign State. A large star surrounded by 23
smaller stars signifies Missouri's status as the 24th State. A cloud around the large star represents the difficulties that
Missouri endured on its way to Statehood.
Missouri Constitution Test
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State Flower – Hawthorne
State Tree – Dogwood
State Bird – Blue Bird
State Song – Missouri Waltz
State Musical Instrument – Fiddle
State Insect – Honey Bee
Highest Point – Taum Sauk
Mountain at 1772 feet.