Shawn McCarver

Shawn McCarver received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Central Missouri State University in May 1981, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in May 1984, where he was a Member of the Missouri Law Review and Secretary of the Student Bar Association.

Mr. McCarver practiced law from 1984 until December 31, 2010. He then served two terms as an Associate Circuit Judge from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2018. After leaving the bench, he has resumed the private practice of law. While in private practice before becoming an associate circuit judge, he also served as attorney for the Juvenile Officer of the 24th Judicial Circuit from 1985 to 2002, and as a Public Defender for the counties of St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington from 1986-1987. He served as a Municipal Judge in the 24th Circuit from 1985 until 2010, serving the Cities of Park Hills (1985 to 2010), Desloge (1988 to 2010), Bismarck (1999 to 2010), Leadwood (2001 to 2010) and Bonne Terre (2003 to 2010).

Mr. McCarver authored the juvenile law chapter of the Trial Judge’s Benchbook, the Juvenile Officer Handbook, and he taught juvenile law to Missouri’s trial judges for 30 years, from 1988 to 2018. He has authored numerous articles and served on numerous Supreme Court committees including the committee that drafted the current Rules of Practice and Procedure in Juvenile Court, the Committee on Confidentiality of Juvenile Proceedings, and the Best Practices in Juvenile Court Committee. He also served as technical advisor and legal counsel to the Commission on Children’s Justice.

Mr. McCarver’s oldest daughter is an osteopathic physician (D.O.), and his youngest is in 8th grade. Mr. McCarver and his wife Julie, who is also a lawyer, their youngest daughter, three German Shepherd Dogs, and one rabbit, live in Farmington, Missouri, where Mr. McCarver and his wife practice law. The McCarvers are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church, as well as civic and service organizations.