Missouri Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Missouri courts under Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 56, including e-filing specifications via Show-Me Courts and formatting best practices.
- Missouri's primary exhibit rule is Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 56.
- Plaintiffs label exhibits with P-1, P-2, P-3....
- Defendants label exhibits with D-1, D-2, D-3....
- The Show-Me Courts portal caps each document at 25 MB.
- Exhibit exchange deadline is 14 days before trial.
- Standard label position is the bottom-right corner of the first page; multi-page exhibits keep one number with per-page pagination ("Exhibit 1, p. 2 of 5").
- Bates numbering (page-level production identifiers) is independent of exhibit numbering and runs across the entire production.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3125 MB
P-1, P-2, P-3...
D-1, D-2, D-3...
14 days before trial
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Exhibits exchanged 14 days before trial. Pre-trial conference exhibit lists required.
Formatting Requirements
Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 56
Sequential marking with party prefix. P-1, P-2 for plaintiff. D-1, D-2 for defendant.
E-Filing System
Statewide mandatory e-filing system. 25 MB per document. Standard PDF format.
Key Deadlines
Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 56
Exchange exhibits 14 days before trial. Pre-trial conference exhibit lists required.
Overview
Missouri courts operate under Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 56 for exhibit requirements. Electronic filing is handled through Show-Me Courts with a maximum file size of 25 MB. Exhibits must be exchanged 14 days before trial.
Key principle: Always verify your specific court's local rules, as individual counties may have additional requirements beyond the statewide rules.
Missouri Exhibit Conventions
- St. Louis City is SEPARATE from St. Louis County - independent city circuit
- Jackson County courts handle Kansas City area
- Show-Me Courts mandatory statewide e-filing
- 14-day exhibit exchange deadline
- Pre-trial conference exhibit lists required
Missouri Exhibit Marking
Standard Marking Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
P-1, P-2, P-3...
Defendant Exhibits
D-1, D-2, D-3...
Check Local Court Rules
Individual courts within Missouri may have specific local rules regarding exhibit marking, numbering sequences, and formatting. Always verify with your specific court before filing.
Court-Specific Requirements
St. Louis City
Independent city circuit - SEPARATE from St. Louis County. Urban commercial docket.
St. Louis City Local RulesJackson County (Kansas City)
Western Missouri hub. Large commercial docket.
Jackson County Local RulesSt. Louis County
Suburban courts - SEPARATE from St. Louis City.
St. Louis County Local RulesMissouri County Guides
Show-Me Courts E-Filing Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required for all filings
- 25 MB maximum per file
- Text-searchable PDFs recommended
Best Practices
- Include bookmarks for multi-exhibit PDFs
- No password protection
- Clear, legible exhibit stamps
Common Rejection Reasons
File Size Exceeds 25 MB Limit
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit 5, Part 1 of 3"). ExhibitPrep exports individual files to manage size limits.
Missing or Illegible Exhibit Stamps
Solution: Use consistent, clearly visible exhibit stamps on every page. ExhibitPrep places stamps in the same position on every page automatically.
Incorrect Exhibit Numbering
Solution: Verify plaintiff exhibits use P-1, P-2, P-3... and defendant exhibits use D-1, D-2, D-3.... ExhibitPrep auto-numbers exhibits sequentially.
Late Exhibit Exchange
Solution: Missouri requires exchange 14 days before trial. Plan ahead and prepare exhibits early to avoid last-minute issues.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Missouri Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours applying stickers manually.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
Court Compliant
Missouri court-ready formatting. Export with bookmarks for organized filings.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Missouri Courts
Recommended Settings
Stamp Format
Use "Exhibit [number]" for plaintiffs or "Exhibit [letter]" for defendants. Include party designation if required by local rules.
Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Use drag-and-drop positioning to adjust if needed.
Export Format
Combined PDF with bookmarks for court filings. Keep files under 25 MB. Individual files for discovery productions or large exhibit sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exhibit requirements for Missouri courts?
Missouri courts require exhibits to follow Mo. Sup. Ct. R. 56. Exhibits exchanged 14 days before trial. Pre-trial conference exhibit lists required.
What e-filing system does Missouri use?
Missouri uses Show-Me Courts for electronic filings. Statewide mandatory e-filing system. 25 MB per document. Standard PDF format.
How should plaintiff and defendant exhibits be marked in Missouri?
In Missouri, plaintiffs typically use P-1, P-2, P-3... while defendants use D-1, D-2, D-3.... Check local court rules for specific requirements.
What are the exhibit exchange deadlines in Missouri?
Missouri requires exhibit exchange 14 days before trial. Exchange exhibits 14 days before trial. Pre-trial conference exhibit lists required.
Are electronically stamped exhibits accepted in Missouri?
Yes, Missouri courts accept electronic exhibit stamps that are clearly legible and consistently formatted. ExhibitPrep creates court-ready stamps accepted throughout Missouri.
What is the maximum file size for Missouri e-filing?
Missouri's e-filing system (Show-Me Courts) accepts files up to 25 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
Prepare Missouri Court Exhibits in Minutes
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