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Municipal Court

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) 

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Can the City Attorney’s Office give me personal legal advice? 

  • No, he represents the City. You must contact your personal attorney for legal advice.

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Can I have a public defender appointed to represent me in Municipal Court for my ordinance violation? 

  • Public defenders by state law are not allowed to represent defendants in Municipal Court cases. However, the Municipal Judge may appoint an attorney under the following circumstance:
    • Financial qualification, as determined by information required on the written Application for Appointment of Counsel by the defendant
    • Jail must be part of the intended sentencing imposed by the court.

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Must I appear in court if I was served with a municipal subpoena? 

  • A subpoena for a witness is a court order which requires the served witness to appear to testify in a case that has been set for trial, unless released by the requesting party (prosecutor, defendant or defense attorney) or judge.
  • A citation issued by a police officer or a summons issued by the court (mail or served) is notification to the person charged (the defendant) that a charge has been filed with the court and a court date has been set for the matter. The necessity for a court appearance is determined by the type of the violation, as specified by law or judicial order. In the municipal court, certain violations can be satisfied without a court appearance by entering a signed plea of guilty and paying the standard fine and costs prior to the court date. Other violations require a court appearance. To determine which applies in your particular situation please contact the Municipal Court office at (660) 627-1237.

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Where do I pay a ticket? 

  • Whether your violation can be satisfied with or without a court appearance, or you appeared in court and were assessed fine and costs, restitution, etc.; your payment can be paid at the Kirksville Municipal Court office located in City Hall, 201 S. Franklin St., Kirksville, MO 63501.

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How do I pay for parking violations?

  • The Municipal Court does not issue parking tickets.  Questions about the issuance of a ticket should be directed to the issuing agency.  Payment should be made to the City of Kirksville, Finance Department, 201 S Franklin St., Kirksville, MO 63501. 

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How do I request a copy of Court Records?

  • All requests for court records must be submitted in writing to the Municipal Court Office.  A Defendant requesting a closed record may do so either in person, or by submitting a signed and notarized request for same.  Please allow seven to ten business days to process a request and send records.  If you have further questions please contact the Municipal Court office at 201 S. Franklin St., Kirksville, MO  63501, or (660) 627-1237.

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How much is my traffic ticket? 

  • For violations that can be satisfied prior to the court date (without a court appearance), a payment envelope is provided by the police officer when the citation is issued. The amount of fine and costs required for the violation/violations is included on the envelope. If you have any questions, please contact the Municipal Court Office, 660-627-1237.

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When is a court appearance mandatory? 

  • Court appearance is mandatory for the following violations:
    • Speeding – 30 miles or more over the speed limit
    • Any moving violations when an accident is involved
    • Failure to Give Immediate Notice of an Accident.
    • Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle
    • Failure to Provide Valid Operator’s License
    • Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance
    • Failure to Register Motor Vehicle or Have Valid Plates
    • Driving While Suspended/Revoked
    • Driving While Intoxicated and related charges
    • Any Ordinance Violation
    • Non-traffic violations (Except - Seatbelt, Child Restraint, or any allowed by judicial order)
    • Any other violations not allowed by judicial order

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What if I can't appear in court on my scheduled date?

  • When receiving a citation or a summons, everyone is entitled to one continuance of either one or two weeks, provided you call the Municipal Court office prior to the original court date.

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