Warson Woods Municipal Court
The Warson Woods Municipal Court is a part of the Municipal Division of the 21st Circuit Court of St. Louis County. The court is presided over by the Honorable Judge Christopher Graville. The Municipal Court Administrator is Cassy Kollmeyer. The Municipal Court presides over municipal ordinance violations consisting of both traffic and non-traffic cases.
The City’s Prosecuting Attorney is Brian Malone.
Policies and Procedures for Recommendations/Discovery from the Prosecuting Attorney
| Court Address:
|
Court is held every other month, on the second Tuesday of that month, at 9:00 a.m. at 424 North Sappington Road.
Phone – (314) 909-3003 Fax – (314) 965-4772 For a Map and Directions Click *HERE* |
| Court Times: | 9:00 a.m. Courtroom doors open at 8:30 a.m. and remain open while court is in session. If you need to attend Court, there is ample room for others including your children to attend with you. |
| Payments: | Payments are made payable to City of Warson Woods in the form of check, money order, or cash. Payments can also be made via credit card online at: https://www.courts.mo.gov |
| Business Hours: | Hours are 7:00 am — 3:00 pm, Monday – Thursday |
If you received a ticket:
You have been summoned to come to court on the date shown on your ticket.
You may plead not guilty by coming to court and a trial date will be set. You do NOT need to hire an attorney but may if you would like.
You may plead guilty by mail or by coming to the 424 N. Sappington Rd. to pay your fine.
If you plead guilty, you will be given a new date to pay if you can’t pay the day of court.
If you want to plead guilty, but you don’t have the funds to pay your ticket, you still must come to court. You will not be arrested for not having money to pay.
If you are unable to pay the night of court, you can ask the judge to grant you a continuance for payment in full or to set up a payment plan.
If you do not come to court when summoned to do so, you are subject to a warrant being issued for your arrest.
| Uniform Fines: | The Warson Woods Municipal Court has established the St. Louis County Municipal Court Uniform Moving Traffic Violation Schedule as the violation schedule for the Court. For a list of violations and fines, Click *HERE* |
| Explanation of Ticket: | Click here for an explanation of your ticket. |
| Points: | For a list of Points for moving violations Click *HERE*
For an explanation of the Missouri Driver’s License point system Click *HERE* |
The Warson Woods Municipal Court Operating Orders can be viewed *HERE*
City of Warson Woods Municipal Court Warrant Recall Information. Click here to view the information.
Court Records. Records of all Missouri courts are presumed to be open to any member of the public for purposes of inspection or copying during the regular business hours of the court having custody of the records. Please note that this policy does not apply to records that are confidential pursuant to statute, court rules, or court order; judicial or judicial staff work product; internal electronic mail; memoranda or drafts; or appellate judicial case assignments. If you would like to request access to court records, please contact the Municipal Court Administrator Ckollmeyer@glendalemo.org. Access to Court Records are governed by Court Operating Rule 2. Reasonable fees may be charged for services provided.
Please note that bulk distribution of court records cannot be made without the approval of the state judicial records committee but under no circumstances will bulk distribution of court records be allowed for commercial gain. Court Operating Rule 2.10.
Thank you for your cooperation and your interest.
Need a lawyer? The Warson Woods Municipal Court does NOT require you to be represented by an attorney. However, if you would like to talk to an attorney, the Missouri Bar has a lawyer search feature on its website, or if you need financial assistance you can click *HERE* for some options.
COURTROOM STANDARDS
While in the courtroom, please observe the following:
- No weapons are permitted in the Municipal Court building or any other city building. Metal detectors are used before entering the court facility and you may be required to be searched by a court security Police Officer.
- Sit quietly in the courtroom whenever court is in session.
- When addressing the Judge do not lean on the bench or have your hands in your pockets.
- No food or drinks allowed in the courtroom, unless medical conditions require such.
- Please wear suitable clothing to court.
- All cellular phones and paging devices need to be turned off while court is in session.
- Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.
- The Judge will call your name; please wait until you hear your name called before approaching the bench.
DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
OVERVIEW OF MUNICIPAL COURTS
Municipal courts are authorized by the Missouri Constitution and are part of the circuit courts. They are open to the public. The purpose of these courts is to provide you with a place to obtain a fair and impartial trial on any alleged violation of a city ordinance. While this is a general overview of your rights in municipal court, each individual court may have local rules that may apply to your case. Please check with your local municipal court for the local court rules.
Municipal courts are a court of law established to protect the rights of all citizens. If there is anything you do not understand, do not hesitate to ask the judge any questions.
IF YOU ARE A NON-U.S. CITIZEN
If you do not have the proper documentation to be in the United States, you should know that a guilty plea or conviction may result in your deportation, denial of admission to the United States, or you may be denied naturalization under the United States law. You may wish to speak with an attorney, especially before entering a guilty plea to any charges.
IF YOU NEED ADA ACCOMMODATIONS
You have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, if you or a witness are deaf or hearing impaired, you have the right to request assistance, including an interpreter. For help, please contact the court’s ASA coordinator. A list of ADA coordinators can be found at http://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=180.
If you need help with other ADA disabilities, please call (573) 751-4377 or send an email to access2justice@courts.mo.gov.
RIGHTS IN MUNICIPAL COURT:
Right to Know When the Court is Open
Every municipal court has different hours it is open. It is important that you check the courts website or call the court’s clerk to determine when it is open. A comprehensive listing of the websites and phone numbers for all municipal courts in Missouri can be found at: http://www.courts.mo.gov/mcw/findacourt/muniDivisionList.htm.
Right to Attend Court
Municipal courts in Missouri are open to the public.
Right to Release Pending Hearing
If you are in jail for a municipal court charge, you have the right to be released unless the court decides you need to be in jail for the protection of the community. If the court orders your release from jail, there may be conditions on your release, including bail.
Right to Access Court Records
If you have a case in municipal court, you have the right to see the court records for your case. This includes records that show charges, court rulings, fines, and other information for your case.
Right to an Attorney
You have the right to be represented by an attorney and may hire one at any time. When you first appear in court, you cans ask to postpone the hearing on time so you can hire an attorney. However, you are not required to have an attorney represent you. You may represent yourself.
Right to a Court Appointed Attorney
If you show you cannot afford an attorney, and the city is seeking to put you in jail, the court will provide an attorney to represent you.
Right to Request a Different Judge
You may request a change of judge for any reason within ten (10) days after you enter your initial plea. If it is pas the ten (10) days, then you must show cause why the judge should be changed. In addition, a judge may decide he or she cannot hear the case if they have a conflict of interest in the case or the judge will appear as the prosecuting attorney in a neighboring county where the prosecuting attorney will serve as judge.
Right to Trial
If you plead not guilty, your case will be scheduled for trial. Because of the number of cases the court hears each month and the need to have the officer and any witnesses present, your case cannot be heard that night. You will be given a future court date for trial.
When your case is scheduled for trial, it will be in the same municipal court in which you appear, UNLESS you request a jury trial. A request for a jury trial should be made by written motion 10 days prior to the scheduled trial date. If the motion is timely, your case will be sent to the presiding judge of the circuit court for a new trial date with a jury.
- At trial, you have a right to testify or remain silent. If you remain silent, it is not considered an admission of guilt. If you testify, the judge may consider any statement you make in deciding your guilt or innocence.
- At trial, you have the right to ask questions of witnesses testifying against you.
- You have a right to require witnesses to come to trial and testify with a subpoena.
- If you are found not guilty, the case ends.
- If you are found guilty, you can accept the decision or appeal to the circuit court. If you appeal your case, you will be granted a new trial before a different judge. The request for appeal must be made within ten (10) days of the court’s decision and cannot be extended for any reason. You can appeal even if you are not able to pay. Complete details of the appeal procedure can be found at stlouisco.com/circuitcourt/rulesofcourt (Rule 69.01 (III) (E)). You may also ask the clerk for information on the process.
Trial Process
- The case is ready to be heard by the judge.
- Witnesses are given an oath to testify.
- The city’s witnesses explain their version of what happened.
- You or your attorney can ask questions of the city’s witnesses.
- You may testify and call witnesses to explain your version of what happened.
- The city prosecutor may question you and your witnesses, if you and your witnesses testify.
- The judge makes the decision.
Punishment and Fines
If you plead guilty of are found guilty, you may face the following punishments or fines:
- Minor traffic violations-up to $225 total fine and costs.
- Housing, zoning or building code violations-up to $200 total fine and costs for first violations in a year, $275 for the second violation in a year and $350 for the third violation in a year, and $450 for the fourth and any subsequent violation in a year.
- All other municipal code violations-up to $1,000.00 fine plus costs.
- In addition to these fines and costs, certain violations may result in jail time. Such violations include any violation involving alcohol or drugs, violations endangering the health or welfare of others, or giving false information to a police officer. You may face up to a year in jail.
You may be able to pay for your fines by mail, online, or in person instead of appearing in court. Please check with the clerk of the municipality in which your case is located or go online at www.courts.mo.gov/casenet to get information on how you can pay fees and fines in the municipality.
Right to Have a Judge Decide if you Can Afford a Lawyer or Pay Fines
If you want an attorney, but cannot afford one, you can ask that the judge decide if you quality for a court-appointed attorney. You may be required to fill our paper work about your finances as part of this process.
You can also request the judge to decide if you are able to pay court fines or to be granted an alternative sentence. You may be required to fill our paper work regarding your finances as a part of this process.
While in the courtroom, please:
Stay seated until your case is ready to be heard by the judge.
Do not smoke or consume food or drink.
Silence any phones or pagers, and remain quiet.
Do not sleep or disrupt the court proceedings.