Judge Denise L. Childress

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Judge Denise Childress is a Christian, Constitutional, Conservative. 

Judge Childress is a Christian. Judge Childress was baptized into the Church as an infant at Queen of All Saints parish. She attended private Catholic schooling through high school, attending Nerinx Hall. She is a longtime member of the St. Peter Parish in St. Charles City, but will be soon joining St. Joseph's Parish in Cottleville after her recent move.

Judge Childress is a Conservative. Judge Childress is a Republican. She has been a member of the St. Charles Pachyderm Club and the Lewis & Clark Pachyderm club for years, previously serving on the Board of the former until she was required to resign from the Board due to her judicial appointment. She was also a member of the St. Charles Federated Republican Women's Club and served on the statewide executive board as Parliamentarian for the Missouri Federation of Republican Women until she was required to resign due to her judicial appointment. 

Judge Childress is a former small business owner. After making partner at her former law firm in record time - less than five years after graduating law school - Judge Childress opened her own small law firm. Judge Childress "hung out her own shingle," as they say, in 2019 - just before the social and government-imposed obstacles that accompanied the COVID pandemic hit - and successfully operated the Firm until taking the Bench in 2025.  In early 2020, again just prior to the imposition of COVID restrictions, she and a partner opened another small business with a mission to educate Missouri lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officers on the scientific and technical aspects of the law. Judge Childress again navigated social and government-imposed obstacles, running a successful business and hosting successful conferences until she resigned upon taking the bench in 2025. Judge Childress therefore truly understands the unique experiences and concerns of local business owners and leaders.

Judge Childress maintains her position on the Board of Directors for Boone Center, Inc., a nonprofit business offering job opportunities for adults with disabilities. She also maintains her active membership in the St. Charles Chapter of Little Black Book: Women in Business. 

Judge Childress has extensive legal experience. Prior to taking the Bench, Judge Childress spent her legal career honing her skills as a lawyer. She is proud to have defended both the Missouri and United States Constitutions every day in court, holding the line between Joe Citizen and the Government. In other words, the Government had to get through her before they got to you. 

She has conducted many trials and hearings all over the State of Missouri, appearing on the record in 44 Missouri counties representing her clients. The Senior Public Health Laboratory Scientist for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as other government witnesses and experts, had to contend with Judge Childress in court, answering her questions under oath about the efficiency and reliability of government policies and procedures, as well as how the government conducted investigations into citizens. Through this experience, Judge Childress learned the delicate balance between respecting law enforcement officers and the Rule of Law and demanding accountability from the government to ensure indiviual rights and that our court systems function justly.

Not only does Judge Childress have experience at the trial level, but she has represented clients in higher Missouri Courts as well. She has argued cases before Missouri's Appellate Courts in both the Eastern and Southern Districts. She has also authored and filed two Amicus "Friend of the Court" Briefs with the Missouri Supreme Court. 

Judge Childress is an educator. Judge Childress is proud to say that she built a strong reputation in the legal community and is a nationally sought-after educator in her field. As a lawyer, Judge Childress began educating others in the legal field in 2014. She first began teaching law enforcement 9 years ago in 2017, teaching recruits at various academies for both the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy and the St. Louis County Police Academy. As a member of the judiciary, Judge Childress spent three hours straight educating fellow judges at the Annual Conference for Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association to ensure Missouri's judiciary maintains the finest-trained judges. Judge Childress has also been engaged in civic education over the years, speaking at local citizens groups, schools, and even to one girl scout troop!