Mo. Rev. Stat. § 532.260: Judge shall appear in person, when.

If no examination shall have been filed with the commitment, or filed in the office of the clerk of the court, as required by law, and none be produced by the committing judge, upon the exhibition of the writ of habeas corpus to him, as provided in section 532.250, such judge shall appear in person, at the time and place to which the writ is returnable, and if he fail to do so may be proceeded against by attachment.