Cal. Civ. Code § 441.720
Expedited eviction actions, where filed, when continued or stayed
Operative Text
1. Actions pursuant to sections 441.710 to 441.880 shall be filed in the associate circuit court for the county in which the premises are located. Upon filing of a verified petition alleging the conduct described in section 441.740, the court shall issue a summons directed to the defendant. The provisions of sections 535.030 and 535.110 shall apply to actions brought pursuant to sections 441.710 to 441.880. The court shall set for hearing a cause of action brought pursuant to sections 441.710 to 441.880 as soon as practicable but in no event shall such hearing be held later than fifteen days following the service of the summons. 2. The court shall, subject to the provisions of section 441.880, neither continue or stay an action brought pursuant to the provisions of sections 441.710 to 441.880 except for compelling and extraordinary reasons.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 441.720 establishes the procedural framework for a specific category of expedited eviction cases. These actions must be filed in the associate circuit court for the county where the rental property sits, and once a verified petition is filed, the court must schedule a hearing as soon as possible—but no later than fifteen days after the defendant is served. The court is also sharply restricted from delaying or pausing these proceedings, and may only grant a continuance or stay for compelling and extraordinary reasons.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.720, landlords pursuing an expedited eviction under the §§ 441.710–441.880 framework file their verified petition in the associate circuit court of the county where the property is located. Compliant operators ensure their petition clearly alleges the conduct described in § 441.740, since that triggers the court's obligation to issue a summons and schedule a rapid hearing. Because the statute limits the court's ability to delay proceedings, landlords generally prepare their documentation thoroughly before filing so they are ready to proceed within the compressed timeline.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.720 governs expedited eviction proceedings brought under Missouri's §§ 441.710–441.880 framework, and tenants named in such actions can expect a hearing to be scheduled very quickly—within fifteen days of being served with a summons. Because the court has very limited authority to continue or stay these proceedings, tenants facing this type of action generally have a narrow window to gather information and understand their options. Tenants may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office promptly after receiving a summons, and should be aware that defenses available under § 441.880 may be relevant to how the court handles any requests for delay.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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