Hon. Joseph W. Purschke is an associate circuit judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. He was elected to the bench in 2018.
The 20th Judicial Circuit Court includes Franklin, Gasconade, and Osage Counties.
Prior to joining the bench, Purschke handled civil and criminal cases involving divorce, child custody, criminal defense, DWI, adoption, and mediation in private practice. During that time, he was a partner at Purschke, White, Robinson, Becker & Briegel, LLC.
He also represented children as a Guardian ad Litem; was a municipal prosecutor in Franklin County and the City of Gerald; a municipal judge in Rosebud and Leasburg; a substitute municipal judge in Sullivan, Union, and Washington; legal counsel for the Franklin County Planning and Zoning Commission; an assistant county counselor in Franklin County; and the county counselor for Warren County.
He received an A.A. from East Central College (1995) and a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice from Missouri State University. Purschke went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Missouri School of Law.
He served as a board member of the United Bank of Union, the Union Area Chamber of Commerce, the Immaculate Conception Parish in Union, the Gateway Center for Autism, the Gateway Center for Education and Therapy, the Union Fire Protection District, Franklin County Cares, and the East Central College Foundation. In addition, Purschke provided pro bono legal assistance to the Scenic Regional Library and the Franklin County Fair Board.
He was also involved with the Union Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus, the St. Joseph Society, Robin Hood Charities, All Abilities Athletics (president), and the Boys Scouts of America (Osage District chairman).
Purschke received the Outstanding Alumni Award from East Central College (2013), the Alumni of the Year by the Missouri Junior College (2013), and the Union Jaycees Outstanding Young Man Award (2010).
A resident of Union, Missouri, Purschke and his wife, Julie, have three children. He attended Union High School. As a high school student, he was senior class vice president and coached girl’s basketball at Immaculate Conception Grade School, as well as Little League basketball.
He is registered as a Republican.