Missouri Revised Statutes Title XXXV. Civil Procedure and Limitations § 508.140. After notice given, duty of court

1. If reasonable notice has been given to the adverse party or his attorney of record, the court or judge, as the case may be, shall consider the application, and if it is sufficient, the judge shall be disqualified or a change of venue shall be awarded to some county in the same, adjoining or next adjoining circuit, convenient to the parties for the trial of the case and where the causes complained of do not exist. One or more of several parties plaintiff or defendant may ask for the change of venue, and if the change is awarded the entire cause shall be removed, and there shall be no further change of venue awarded on the same side of the suit.

2. In all cases in counties in this state which have a population of more than sixty-five thousand inhabitants and wherein the removal is asked on the ground of objections to or prejudice of the inhabitants of the county and the adverse party has filed counter-affidavit controverting the objection to or the prejudice of the inhabitants of the county, the court shall hear evidence on the issue and determine the same on the merits of the evidence, and if the issue is determined in favor of the applicant for the change of venue, the change shall be awarded as herein provided.

3. This section does not apply to causes wherein a special venire has been issued, and in such case the party not applying for the special venire shall be granted a change of venue as of course, upon proper affidavit.