Which of the following describes the Missouri Court System hierarchy?

The Missouri Court System hierarchy accurately progresses from Circuit Courts to the Court of Appeals and ultimately to the Supreme Court, which is why this answer is correct.

In Missouri, the Circuit Courts serve as the trial courts where most cases begin, handling both civil and criminal matters. After decisions in Circuit Courts, parties dissatisfied with the outcome may appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals, which is divided into three districts. The Court of Appeals reviews cases for legal errors and ensures that the law is applied correctly.

Should further appeal be necessary, parties can escalate their cases to the Missouri Supreme Court, the highest court in the state. The Supreme Court primarily reviews cases that involve significant legal questions, the interpretation of state laws, or constitutional issues.

The incorrect options present variations of court structures that do not reflect the actual tiered system in Missouri. For instance, Family Courts and Criminal Courts are actually considered part of the Circuit Courts, not separate entities that stand between the Circuit Courts and the Supreme Court. Additionally, Municipal Courts typically handle specific local ordinance violations and minor offenses, lacking the appellate function required to link them to the Supreme Court in the state hierarchy. Thus, the outlined structure of Circuit Courts, followed by the Court of Appeals, and then the Supreme Court is the