Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXII. Courts § 483.170. Duty of court when clerk is charged with misdemeanor in office--notice--temporary clerk during suspension

1. When any court shall believe from its own knowledge or from information secured from others given to the court under oath or affirmation, that the clerk of the court has committed some act or acts constituting a misdemeanor in office, the court shall give notice thereof, stating the charge or charges against such clerk, to the attorney general of the state or the prosecuting attorney of the county, requiring him to prosecute the same; and such court may by order of record suspend such clerk from office until a trial upon such charge or charges can be had.

2. Pending such suspension, the court shall appoint some person possessing the qualifications required for the regular clerks of such court to act and perform the duties of the clerk of said court. Before entering upon the duties of his office such temporary clerk shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation and give bond as required for clerks of said courts. Such temporary clerk shall possess the same powers and perform the same duties as provided for clerks of the court to which they are appointed, and shall continue in office until the regular clerk of such court shall resume his office, or his successor shall be duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.

3. Provided, however, that when the court shall prefer charges against the clerk of any court as herein provided the said clerk shall remain in possession of and continue to perform the duties of this office by giving bond to the state with at least two solvent sureties, the amount of said bond to be fixed and the bond to be approved by the chief or presiding judge of the court, conditioned that said clerk and his sureties shall pay all costs, damages and fines which may be assessed against him upon his trial; and if said clerk shall fail to furnish said bond within fifteen days after receiving notice to do so, his suspension shall become fully effective and he shall surrender up his said office to the temporary clerk.