Butler Circuit Court is the circuit court of Bates County in the Twenty-Seventh Judicial Circuit of the Missouri Circuit court system. Hearing for violations of ordinances in the cities of Amsterdam and Hume are held in this court.

The Bates County Museum, which was recently completed, has exhibits depicting the history of Bates county. In this museum you can find murals and artifacts related to the Tragic Depopulation in 1863, the Skirmish at Island Mound in 1862 involving African-American soldiers and General JO Shelby "The Undefeated Rebel". On the second floor there are artifacts donated by the pioneer families of the area. the Time Line room in the West wing traces has a sequential history of the county. Theme rooms in the opposite wing are representations of an early kitchen, general store, doctor and dentist office, women's craft, art, music and literature in addition to toys, and communications rooms. In the hallway there are displays of antique glass ware, clocks and lamps.