Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Where is the Court located?

Buchanan County Courthouse Basement
411 Jules
St. Joseph, MO 64501

2. What are court hours?

• The court is in session at 8 a.m., with trials beginning at 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.
• Code violations and animal control dockets are heard at 1 p.m. every other Wednesday.
• Payments can be made between 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

3. Can I change my Court Date?

Yes, but you will only be allowed one continuance. If you do not contact the Court about a change in court date within 7 days prior to your court date, you will be expected to appear before the Judge.

4. I just got this ticket yesterday, can I pay it now?

No, the ticket must be filed by the City Prosecutor prior to taking payments. It may take up to a week for the filing and processing of your citation. We do not accept payment prior to the filing of the case.

5. Do I have to see the Judge?

It depends on the charges filed. If they are related to accident, assaults, operator license suspension, drugs/alcohol or not on the fine schedule, then yes you do. Otherwise, you can plead guilty by signing the back of the ticket and pay the fine.

6. I've become aware that a warrant has been issued for my arrest. What do I need to do to resolve this?

The City issues arrest warrants for individuals who either fail to appear for a court case or fail to comply with a court order to pay fines due. The warrant will only be removed by an appearance before the Judge or a plea of guilty and payment of fines due. If the case is due to an accident, stealing or an assault, the appearance before the Judge is mandatory.

7. I will be in today to pay my fines. Will you take the warrant off?

A warrant will only be taken off when at least half of the fines are paid. You must see the Judge during regular court hours for an extension.

8. Can I talk to the Judge over the phone?

The Judge cannot discuss a pending case. You must see the Judge during regular court session at 8am or 10:00am, on a first come, first serve basis.

9. What does “first come, first serve” mean?

Court is in session at 8:00 am (for arraignments) and 10:00 am (for trials) Monday through Friday. Cases are heard in the order that individuals check in. Code violations and Animal Control cases are heard at 1:00 pm on Wednesdays. The Clerk’s window opens at 7:30 am each day for defendant check-in. You must pass through the courtroom and turn left to find the Clerk’s window. Drop-ins after 8:00 am will have to reschedule. Those arriving earlier are inserted with the day's docket. Visitors paying in person may pay during regular court office hours 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

10. Can I clear someone else’s warrant?

Yes, but you must appear before the Judge during regular court sessions.

11. Can I satisfy someone else’s traffic ticket(s)?

Yes, if the violation listed is NOT an assault, drug/alcohol related, involving an accident, or a license suspension. The defendant must sign the back of the ticket.

12. If I am unable to be in Municipal Court on the date designated, how do I request a continuance?

You will need to contact the Municipal Court Clerk's Office at (816) 271-4686 to request a continuance. (If you do not appear in Municipal Court on the assigned date, and have not contacted the Municipal Court Clerk's Office to obtain a continuance, an additional charge of "Failure to Appear in Court" may be filed against you and the Municipal Judge may issue a warrant for your arrest.) Do not contact the City Prosecutor's office to request a continuance. The City Prosecutor cannot grant continuances to defendants.

13. What happens on the Municipal Court date on which I am scheduled to appear?

The first court date set for your ticket is called an arraignment. You are expected to be in Municipal Court on the date and time set for your case on the ticket. At the arraignment, the Municipal Judge will read you your rights and will read the charges against you. If you plead "guilty", the Municipal Judge will most likely assess a fine at that time. If you plead "not guilty", the Municipal Judge will set the case for a trial date in the near future. At the trial, the City Prosecutor will be required to prove the charges against you. (Again, if you do not appear in Municipal Court on the assigned date, and have not contacted the Municipal Court Clerk's Office to obtain a continuance, you may be charged with "Failure to Appear in Court", a separate crime, and the Municipal Judge may issue a warrant for your arrest.)

14. What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is a court hearing that is set to make certain you know the charges against you, and to find out how you plead. The arraignment allows you to enter a plea of "guilty" or "not guilty". It is not a trial. The arraignment is usually the first contact you have with the court about a particular ticket.

15. What happens if I plead "not guilty" at arraignment?

The Municipal Court will set a date for trial where the City Prosecutor will be required to prove the case against you.

16. What happens at trial?

You must be present at trial, even if you hire your own attorney. At trial, the City Prosecutor presents evidence first and will call witnesses to present the case against you. The City Prosecutor presents the case by asking the police officers, code enforcement officers, animal control officers and/or other witnesses questions. The answers these witnesses provide in Municipal Court help the Municipal Judge decide whether you committed the violation. At trial, you or your attorney may ask questions of the City Prosecutor's witnesses. You or your attorney may also call witnesses and present evidence in your own defense. You may also testify on your own behalf, if you wish. If you testify, the City Prosecutor may ask you questions about the case. The case you or your attorney presents also helps the Municipal Judge decide whether you committed the violation.

17. Can I change my trial date?

No, you must appear before Judge and request an extension.

18. How do I subpoena witnesses to appear in Municipal Court on my behalf and is there any charge for getting the subpoenas issued?

The Municipal Court Clerk's Office will issue subpoenas on behalf of the defendants. You will need to contact the Municipal Court Clerk if you have questions about this procedure and the costs involved.

19. What happens after the trial?

After the trial the Municipal Judge will either find you "guilty" or "not guilty". The Municipal Judge's decision after trial is called the verdict.

20. How do I obtain a copy of the police report?

The St. Joseph Police Department, Records Division, located at 501 Faraon, St. Joseph, Missouri, has all police reports on file. However, not all police reports are a matter of "public record". The Records Division will determine whether the report can be released and, if so, will advise you of the cost involved. The Records Division may be reached at (816) 271-4705.

21. What does the verdict mean?

If you are found "guilty", the Municipal Judge will sentence you. A "guilty" verdict can be appealed to the Circuit Court.

22. If I plead "guilty" or am found "guilty" at trial, do I have to pay the fine and Municipal Court costs at that time?

The Municipal Judge will assess the fine and Municipal Court costs due. If payment cannot be immediately made at the time of the Municipal Court appearance, a request for time to pay must be made and the terms and conditions of payment will be set by the Municipal Judge. In order to avoid additional costs and inconvenience, the terms and conditions of payment must be met, or changes in payment arrangements approved by the Municipal Judge.

23. When I was arrested, I was required to post a cash bond. How do I get my bond money back?

You must appear in person at Municipal Court with a picture ID to request a return of bond money. When a ruling is made on the outstanding balance due, a Consent to Forfeit bond money is filled out. A check is usually given to the defendant at that time of appearance.