CAN I PAY MY TICKET WITH A CHECK OR CREDIT CARD?
CAN I GET A CONTINUANCE?
I CANNOT PAY MY TICKET DUE TODAY, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
IF I PAY MY TICKET OUT OF COURT, DO I HAVE TO PAY COURT COSTS?
CAN I PAY A HIGHER FINE AND HAVE MY TICKET AMENDED?
CAN
I ENTER A PLEA OF "NO CONTEST"?
CAN I HAVE A
PUBLIC DEFENDER?
WHAT IF
I CHOOSE TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY?
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME?
CAN I
REQUEST WITNESSES TO TESTIFY?
CAN
I PLEAD GUILTY AND BE PUT ON PROBATION?
CAN I
PAY MY TICKET WITH A CHECK OR CREDIT CARD?
You may pay with cash, cashier's
check, money order, Visa, Discover or MasterCard. Payment by credit card is not accepted over the
phone.
CAN
I GET A CONTINUANCE?
The Court Clerk can grant a continuance
on any case set for the initial appearance. Any further request for continuances must be
made in person before the Judge.
I CANNOT PAY MY TICKET DUE
TODAY, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you have not paid your ticket before
your Court date, you must appear in Court. If you are paying your ticket on your Court
date, you have until 4:30 p.m.
IF I PAY MY TICKET
OUT OF COURT, DO I HAVE TO PAY COURT COSTS?
Court costs are assessed by
State Statutes and City Ordinances. Paying your ticket prior to the Court date does not
waive costs. The Municipal Court does allow you the convenience to pay minor traffic
citations without having to make a Court appearance.
CAN I PAY A HIGHER FINE AND
HAVE MY TICKET AMENDED?
The Prosecutor will not speak with
Defendants regarding amendment of a ticket. You must get an attorney if you wish for the
Prosecutor to consider amending your ticket to a non-moving violation or lesser charge.
The Judge will not amend a charge.
CAN I ENTER A PLEA OF "NO
CONTEST"?
The State of Missouri does not
recognize the plea of "no contest". A defendant must enter a plea of guilty or
not guilty.
CAN I HAVE A PUBLIC DEFENDER?
The Municipal Court has no public
defender. However, the Judge may appoint an attorney to represent a defendant if 1) the
defendant provides proof under oath that they are indigent and have no means to hire an
attorney; and 2) that there is a likelihood of jail if the defendant pleads guilty or is
found guilty of the charge. Both requirements must be made in order to have an attorney
appointed to represent you.
WHAT IF I CHOOSE TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY?
Upon a plea of not guilty, the matter
will be set for trial at a later date. This time allows for both parties to subpoena
witnesses and prepare for trial.
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT ME?
You are not required to have an
attorney, however, it is your right to have an attorney represent you.
CAN I REQUEST WITNESSES TO TESTIFY?
You may request the Clerk of
the Municipal Court to issue Subpoenas on your behalf for witnesses you wish to call at
trial. It is your responsibility to see the Subpoenas are served properly and proof of
service is returned to the Court.
CAN I PLEAD GUILTY AND BE PUT ON
PROBATION?
It is the Policy of the Court not to
place Defendants on Probation without legal cause to do so, or a recommendation from the
Prosecutor. The Prosecutor's policy is not to recommend probation without prior agreement
with an attorney representing the Defendant.
