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Municipal Court

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1. When is the court open for payments?

The Municipal Court business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The payment windows are open 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. You may pay by phone (417-864-1890) during regular business hours with MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. The Court is closed on City Holidays.

Some violations can be paid online. Check your ticket at Casenet for plead and pay options.

2. Do you take personal checks?

Yes, with the caveat that the court does not accept bank account starter checks, counter checks, or post-dated checks. The court will not "hold" a check. All funds will be deposited on the day they are received.

3. May I mail my fine and costs?

Yes, if it is a violation bureau ticket. The violation bureau eligible offenses can be found at a link on the left of this page. Be sure to sign the back of your copy of the ticket and mail it with your check, money order, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard information to the Municipal Court.

4. How do I know if my citation is violation-bureau eligible?

The eligible offenses and associated fines and court costs are listed: on the mailing envelope you may have received when the officer presented you with your citation, at a link found at the left-side of this page, and at the Springfield Municipal Court. If you did not receive a mailing envelope from the police officer, you may be required to appear on your court date. In accident cases, appearance before a judge is required pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rules, even if the charge is listed on the envelope. Please contact the court at 417-864-1890 if you have specific concerns or questions.

5. I don't have the money to pay my ticket by my court date. What do I do?

You must appear on your court date and address this issue with a judge. Failure to appear may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.

6. I have a payment due and I do not get paid until after you close, what do I do?

There is a secure drop box located on the north side of the front entrance to the Municipal Court. Place your payment in an envelope and include the following information: Your name, ticket number, date of birth, social security number and/or driver’s license number.

Some payment plans can be paid online. To see if your payment plan is eligible, visit the PAY BY WEB option on Casenet.

7. If I don't go before the judge, why do I have to pay court costs?

"Court costs," "fees," "miscellaneous charges," and "surcharges" are set by state statute, Missouri Supreme Court rule, and Springfield ordinance. By law, they are assessed to each case regardless of court appearance.

8. My citation is not Violation-Bureau eligible. How much is my fine?

When you do not have a violation bureau ticket, there is no set fine, and you must appear before a judge on your court date. The range of punishment pursuant to city ordinance on most cases is between $0 and $1000.00.

9. When is my payment due on a Violation Bureau ticket?

On or before the court date on your ticket. Payment may be made at court, by phone, by mail, and some violations can be paid online. Check your ticket at Casenet for plead and pay options.

10. May I ask the Court for a payment plan?

Yes. If you have a legitimate hardship in paying the fine assessed at the time you are in court, the judge may allow an extension to pay. You will be asked to sign an agreement stating that you understand the conditions by which the judge is allowing you extended time to pay your fine and, if you cannot pay by the due date, that you understand that you are being ordered to appear on or before that due date to show cause why you cannot pay. You will be required to provide your SSN, current address, and phone number. If you fail to pay your fine or appear on or before the due date to show cause why you cannot or have not paid, a warrant for your arrest may be issued for failing to appear.

11. May I have an extension or change my payment plan?

A defendant with an established payment plan must speak directly to a judge in regards to any request for extension or changes to their court ordered payment plan. These "walk-in" times are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-10:00 a.m. & Monday-Thursday, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. You must appear ON OR BEFORE the date your fines/court costs are due.

12. May I bring someone to court with me?

Yes, providing there is adequate courtroom seating available. However, it is the defendant who must appear before the judge. If at all possible, please try to avoid bringing small children to court as the wait is usually difficult for them.

13. May my friend or family member appear at court for me?

It is the judge's discretion determined on a case-by-case basis whether or not a family member or a friend may appear on your behalf. The judge may still require your personal appearance.

14. When is my court date?

Your arraignment date and time is located on the citation form at the top.
Failure to appear will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, a license suspension notice, or both.

15. Do I have to have an attorney?

No. You may if you wish, but it is not required.

16. I asked the clerk how I should plead when I speak to the judge. They said they couldn't help me. Why?

Court personnel may provide information, but may not give legal advice.

17. I want to find out about my case and I was told that I need to speak to my attorney. Why?

Court staff can provide you with information about your case only including such items as upcoming court dates and times, but may not provide legal advice.

18. I'm coming to court. What should I expect?

Each case is different, but generally at the first appearance you may anticipate the following procedures. Please arrive at least 15-30 minutes prior to your court time. You will be greeted by a bailiff at the door and will be required to be screened through a metal detector and your belongings will be screened. You should proceed to a front window as indicated by the bailiff and check in with the court staff. It is helpful to bring your copy of the citation and some form of ID. Additionally, bring whatever documents you feel you want to present to the court in regards to your case. The court staff will direct you to the appropriate courtroom as needed. The court staff will provide you with a written document that describes your rights in this court proceedings. While in the courtroom, you are expected to do nothing that would disrupt the court proceedings. In the court there is no smoking, eating, drinking, or talking. If possible, please do not bring small children to court as the wait is usually difficult for them. A bailiff is present in the courtroom to ensure that the proceedings run smoothly and safely. The judge will direct you to approach the bench when called. Please listen carefully to the judges instructions and follow all directions of the court staff.

19. The judge said I have to be fingerprinted. Why?

Pursuant to Missouri statute, judges must order fingerprinting on specific types of cases when not completed by the police at the time of arrest. You will be directed to the Springfield Police Department in order to comply with this order.

20. What are "walk-in" times?

Unscheduled matters ("walk-ins") will be heard after scheduled matters Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and Monday-Thursday, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. If you missed a first appearance/arraignment that was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and you have not received a warrant or department of revenue notice in the mail, please come in during the next 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. arraignment time to address your issue. If you failed to appear for a 9:00 a.m. first appearance/arraignment and have received a warrant or department of revenue license suspension notice, the Monday-Friday 9-10:00 a.m. or Monday-Thursday 1:00-2:30 p.m. times apply. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date or time will result in the issuance of a warrant for your arrest.

21. What do I do on my court date?

If you are given a date and time to appear in court, you must appear and be in the courtroom when your case is called.

22. What happens if I'm found guilty?

City ordinance number 1-7 provides sentencing ranges of up to a $1000.00 fine and up to 180 days in jail, or any combination thereof, for most cases. City ordinance 42-38 authorizes probation programs to be assessed. Court costs, fees, surcharges, and miscellaneous charges pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court rule, state law, and city ordinance may also be assessed.

23. Do I need to have a public defender assigned to my case?

The defendant must appear on their scheduled court date to request an appointed attorney from the judge. It is the judge's decision whether or not a defendant is eligible for an appointed attorney.

24. May I request a different court date?

Yes, but the request must be made in court BEFORE your court date. Times to appear and request a continuance are Monday-Thursday at 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. before your court date.

25. Do I have a warrant?

The court does not publish a warrant list online. You may contact the court by phone during business hours to receive information.

26. I received a warrant in the mail. What does it mean?

An arrest warrant is an order from the court to law enforcement to arrest and hold you in jail unless and until you satisfy the conditions of release stated on the warrant, normally bail. You can determine what type of warrant has been issued by looking in the upper right-hand corner of the warrant.
• If you have a general "Failure to Appear" warrant:
You may appear before the court during "walk-in" times to address a failure to appear warrant.
• If you have a "Showcause/Failure to Pay" warrant:
You must either pay the amount shown in full or appear before the judge during "walk-in" times. You can pay these charges by phone and have the warrant removed without having to appear before the judge.
• If you have a Capias or Information warrant:
You must appear in court during "walk-in" times.

With the exception noted above on "showcause/payment" warrants, you can neither have a warrant removed nor post bond over the phone.

27. How can I contact the court? (Fax, email, mail, phone)

Here is the Springfield Municipal Court contact information:
• Court Address: 625 N Benton Ave, Springfield, MO 65806
• Court Fax: 417-864-1883
• Court E-mail: [email protected]
• Court Phone: 417-864-1890.

28. I have too far to drive to make my court date. What can I do?

If you live 70 miles or more from Springfield, you may request to handle your case by mail. Mail, fax or e-mail correspondence should be addressed to "Judge, Springfield Municipal Court" and state whether you wish to plead guilty or not guilty. The judge will review your correspondence and you will be required to contact the court to receive the judge's response. Failure to appear at a scheduled court date and time will result in the issuance of a warrant.

29. I received a ticket that involved a traffic accident. Why can't I just pay it?

Missouri Supreme Court Rule 37.49(c)(1) prohibits accident cases from being paid through the violation bureau.

30. If I didn't sign the ticket is it valid?

Yes.

31. I recieved a ticket for not having proof of motor vehicle insurance and I just didn't have it with me. What can I do?

If you have proof of vehicle insurance, you should bring it with you to your scheduled court date and time. You MUST appear before a judge with this proof for it to be taken into consideration during arraignment.

32. I would like to make a complaint about the officer that wrote this ticket.

Please call the Citizen Resource Center at 417-864-1010.

33. The officer gave me a ticket for parking in a lot requiring a permit or handicapped sticker. I have proof of my permit or handicap placard. Who can I talk to?

Please call the City Prosecutor's office in regards to parking permit or handicapped parking issues. (417-864-1892)

34. The dog wasn't mine, why do I have to pay the ticket?

Generally, the person who has possession of the animal or picks up an animal from the shelter is charged by the prosecuting attorney with the violation. It is up to you to decide whether to plead guilty or to plead not guilty.

35. The police officer said to just show the court staff my insurance card and they would dismiss the ticket.

This was an allowable procedure in the past, but now, if you do have proof of vehicle insurance, please bring it with you to your scheduled court date and time where you must appear before a judge.

36. What is a Plea?

Generally, a defendant's or counsel's response of either "guilty" or "not guilty" to a charge.

37. What is a pre-trial conference?

A "pre-trial conference" in the Springfield Municipal Court is a meeting between an unrepresented defendant, the prosecuting attorney, and a judge if requested by both parties.

38. How do I post a bond?

If the warrant does not specify "cash bond only," the defendant may call a bond company to post a "surety" bond in the stated amount. If the warrant or order from the court is a "cash only" bond, then bond must be posted in cash, and only in cash.

39. How do I get a bond back once I have posted the cash?

When the defendant appears on the date/time noted on the bond, the judge will address the release, retention, or application of bond funds in regards to the defendants case.

When the court date is continued, the judge may continue the bond until the case is resolved.

When the judge releases the bond, the defendant is required to produce a picture identification before the bond will be refunded.

When a defendant posts bond through a bonding company, the "surety" bond company will be released when the case is concluded. NOTE: Any fee paid on behalf of a defendant to the bonding company is between the defendant and the bonding company, not the court.

40. I can't make my assigned probation class, can I reschedule?

Please contact the Municipal Probation office at 417-864-1895. If they are unavailable, please leave a voice mail with your name, contact number, and a description of your request and someone will return your call at their earliest availability.

41. I can't make my probation appointment. What do I do?

Please contact the Municipal Probation office at 417-864-1895. If they are unavailable, please leave a voice mail with your name, contact number, and a description of your request and someone will return your call at their earliest availability.

42. I have a question about my restitution.

Please direct all questions regarding restitution to the Municipal Probation Office. 417-864-1895