Mo. Rev. Stat. § 533.240
Circuit judges may hear and determine all actions brought for the recovery of specific personal property. Associate circuit judges may hear and determine without special assignment or transfer all actions brought for the recovery of specific personal property when the value of the property sought to be recovered and the damages claimed for the taking or detention and for injuries thereto shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the monetary amount established by law for those civil cases which an associate circuit judge may hear and determine without special assignment or transfer. If specially assigned or transferred, associate circuit judges may hear and determine other cases for the recovery of specific personal property with the procedure to be as in cases triable before a circuit judge.
§ 533.240, RSMo
Effective 1/2/1979