Mo. Rev. Stat. § 533.250: Value of property governs jurisdiction.

The value of the property, as set forth in the statement and affidavit, shall fix the monetary amount so far as the value is concerned which governs whether the case may be heard and determined by an associate circuit judge without special assignment or transfer; but the value of the property shall not be assessed against the defendant at a greater amount than that sworn to by the plaintiff in his statement.