How to Become a Judge in Missouri: Judge Jalilah Otto’s Path to the Bench

What does it take to become a judge in Missouri? In this episode of Missouri Law Matters, Judge Jalilah Otto of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County shares her path to the bench, the work judges do each day, and how Missouri’s nonpartisan court plan shapes judicial selection in Kansas City and beyond. Judge Otto talks about growing up in Kansas City, discovering the law almost by accident, and building a career as a prosecutor at the state and federal levels before becoming an associate circuit judge, then a circuit judge. She also explains how Missouri circuit courts work, why civic education matters, and what people should know before stepping into a courtroom. This conversation is designed for Missourians searching for: • how to become a judge in Missouri • Missouri nonpartisan court plan • Missouri circuit courts explained • Jackson County Court and Kansas City legal system • what judges do in Missouri courts • legal and judicial career paths About Missouri Law Matters Missouri Law Matters is a public education initiative of the Supreme Court of Missouri that helps increase access and understanding of how our courts work. Follow Missouri Courts on Instagram and Facebook @MOCourts and @SupremeCourtMO.