Communication between courts
When a Missouri court is handling a child custody case, it can talk directly with a court in another state. The parents or other people involved in the case can usually be part of that conversation, or at least get a chance to share their side before any decision is made. If the courts are just talking about scheduling or paperwork, they do not have to tell anyone or keep notes. But for all other conversations between courts, a record must be kept and the parties must be told about it and allowed to see it.
452.730. Communication between courts. — 1. A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a arising under sections 452.700 to 452.930.
2. The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. If the parties are not able to participate in the communication, the parties shall be given the opportunity to present facts and legal arguments before a decision on is made.
3. A communication between courts on schedules, calendars, court s, and similar matters may occur without informing the parties. A record need not be made of such communication.
4. Except as provided in 3 of this section, a record shall be made of the communication. The parties shall be informed promptly of the communication and granted access to the record.
5. For the purposes of this section, "record" means that is inscribed on a , or that which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. A record includes notes or transcripts of a court reporter who listened to a conference call between the courts, an electronic recording of a telephone call, a memorandum or an electronic record of the communication between the courts, or a memorandum or an electronic record made by a court after the communication.
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Source & history notes
(L. 2009 H.B. 481)
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