Welcome to the Howell County Circuit Court and Circuit Clerk’s Office Website
Cynthia Lee
Howell County Circuit Clerk
Welcome, and thank you for visiting our website. As your elected Circuit Clerk, I am proud to serve the people of Howell County and our close-knit community. My office is committed to integrity, efficiency, and impartiality to everyone who walks through our doors or connects with us online.
With over 25 years of experience in the court system, along with ongoing staff training and updated technology, we strive to make court services as accessible and straightforward as possible for our neighbors, families, and local businesses.
This website is here to help you find information and better understand the services we provide. Please keep in mind that it is for informational purposes only. By law, the Court and Clerk’s Office cannot provide legal advice. If you need legal guidance, we encourage you to contact a licensed attorney.
We also want to remind you that filings for a case cannot be accepted by email under Local and Supreme Court Rules. Documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax through the Circuit Clerk’s Office; fax filing fees need to be paid before a fax number is provided.
We are here to serve you. Thank you for placing trust in our office every day.
Respectfully,
Cynthia Lee
Howell County Circuit Clerk
37th Judicial Circuit
Address: 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775
Phone: (417) 256-3741
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Excluding State Holidays.
Proudly Serving the Howell County, Missouri Residents
We serve all residents of Howell County, including the communities of Brandsville, Caulfield, Hutton Valley, Lanton, Moody, Mountain View, Peace Valley, Pomona, Pottersville, South Fork, West Plains, and Willow Springs. The Circuit Clerk’s office maintains official court records dating back to 1866 and provides administrative support for all divisions of the Circuit Court serving these communities.
There are three physical offices: Civil, Criminal, and Probate. Each is under the Circuit Clerk’s management. These offices are located in Historic Downtown West Plains, Missouri, inside the Howell County Courthouse, Circa 1936.
Address: 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775
Phone: (417) 256-3741
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Excluding State Holidays.
Civil Supervisor - Crystal Howell
Comprised of:
Division I - Circuit Civil, Family Court, & Juvenile Court
Division II – Associate Civil & Small Claims
Jury Management – Reporting Info Line: (417) 256-7505
Criminal & Traffic Supervisor – Allyson Bice
Comprised of:
Division I – Circuit Criminal
Division III – Associate Criminal & Traffic
Probate – Cynthia Lee, Circuit Clerk
Division III – Probate
Guardianship & Conservatorship
Decedent’s Estates, Small Estate’s Affidavit
Frequently Used MO Court Links
Judicial Personnel of Howell County
Honorable Steven Privette
37th Judicial Circuit Judge, Howell County Division I
Civil & Criminal Docket: Settings, Dismissals, and Non-Evidentiary Motions: First and third Monday of each month starting at 12:30 PM
Ex Parte & Orders of Protection Docket: Second and Fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:00 AM
Criminal Public Defender Docket: Each Friday at 8:30 AM
Honorable Melissa Stewart
Associate Circuit Judge, Howell County Division II
Associate Civil Docket: Second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM with Trials immediately following announcements and call docket.
Associate Criminal Docket: Felonies & Non-Support: Second Friday of each month at 9:00 AM and fourth Monday of each month at 1:00 PM
Honorable David Ray
Associate Circuit Judge, Howell County Division III
Associate Criminal & Traffic Docket: Arraignment Docket: Each Monday at 9:00 AM
Prisoner’s Arraignment Docket: Daily or as needed.
Criminal & Traffic Docket: Preliminary Hearings, Bench Trials, and Pleas: First and third Tuesdays of each month at 9:00 AM
Small Claims: Second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM
Probate: Second and fourth Thursday of each month at 9:00 AM