Police issue vast numbers of traffic tickets in the greater Kansas City area. According to Kansas City Municipal Court data, city prosecutors file at least 35,000 traffic cases yearly. Behind every one of those cases is a person who deserves their day in court. The sheer number of cases can make traffic court confusing and chaotic. Kansas City drivers face a further challenge because of the area’s split jurisdiction across Kansas and Missouri.
Preparation and knowledge are critical when going to traffic court. An experienced traffic lawyer can help you understand the traffic court process and advocate for your rights.
Types of Traffic Violations You Might Face
The first step in traffic court preparation is understanding the charge against you. You should know how serious it is and what consequences you could face if you plead guilty or are convicted. Kansas and Missouri law classify some traffic charges as civil infractions and others as criminal offenses. The differences between civil and criminal traffic cases include the severity of the penalties and the potential impact on your life.
Examples of minor traffic violations with civil penalties include:
Speeding
Rolling stops, and
Expired registration
Serious traffic violations include:
DUI/DWI;
Reckless driving, and
Driving while suspended
When to Go to Traffic Court to Fight a Ticket
Traffic court preparation takes time, energy, and expense. How do you know when appearing in court to contest a ticket is worth it?
Minor traffic tickets usually give you the option of pleading guilty and paying a fine without ever having to go to court. This might be a good option if you have few or no points on your license.
When an alleged traffic offense is more serious or the penalties of pleading guilty to a minor offense are more serious, it may be worth going to court and fighting the charge. A traffic court attorney can help you make that assessment.
Differences Between Missouri and Kansas Traffic Courts
Traffic offenses may be handled at the city or county level, depending on where the alleged offense occurred. Each city and county has local court rules and procedures. The best traffic court advice is determining which court will hear your case and learn its procedures.
Which Courts Hear Traffic Cases?
Municipal courts handle most traffic offenses in Missouri. If you get a ticket in Kansas City, Missouri, from a Kansas City police officer, your case will be in the Kansas City Municipal Court. In some counties, the local circuit court has a traffic division.
Courts at the county level often hear traffic cases in Kansas, although it can vary from one county to another. It can also vary depending on who wrote the ticket. For example, in Kansas City, Kansas, the city’s municipal court hears traffic cases from city law enforcement agencies and the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office. The Wyandotte County District Court hears cases based on tickets written by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Do Kansas and Missouri Use a Points System?
Missouri uses a points-based system. A guilty plea or conviction for a traffic offense adds points to your driving record. The number of points for a violation ranges from 1 to 12. Only severe crimes, such as felony DWI, receive 12 points. Accumulating too many points too quickly can result in a driver’s license suspension.
Kansas does not use the same points system as Missouri. Convictions for certain offenses can result in a driver’s license suspension. The state may also administratively suspend a person’s license for matters like failure to provide proof of insurance.
How Do Plea Bargains Work?
In Missouri and Kansas, getting a traffic charge reduced to a lesser offense with less severe penalties may be possible, usually in exchange for a guilty plea. Some jurisdictions will allow people who plead guilty to a minor traffic offense to reduce the number of points added to their record by participating in a Driver Improvement Program (DIP). Diversion may be available in some cases. If a person in a diversion program completes all of the requirements, the case is dismissed.
What to Expect in Traffic Court on Your Court Date
The following tips can help you prepare for your traffic court appearance:
Before the Hearing
Double-check your court date and location. This is especially important in the Kansas City area.
Gather the necessary documents: citation, driver’s license, insurance, vehicle registration.
Dress appropriately. The Kansas City, MO Municipal Court dress code states that “visitors should wear clean, well-fitted clothes.”
At the Courthouse
Check in with court personnel or the clerk.
Wait for your name/case to be called. Be patient, because this can take some time.
Hear the charges against you and enter a plea: guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Potential Outcomes
Fines and court costs
Driving classes or community service
License points or suspensions
Trial date set if you plead not guilty
How to Prepare for Traffic Court
The following tips can help you prepare to defend your rights in a traffic court hearing:
Know the Law
Research your specific violation ahead of time.
Understand the possible penalties and points you could face.
Hire a Traffic Attorney
An attorney can appear in court to advocate on your behalf.
They may be able to negotiate amendments, diversion, or other positive outcomes.
They know the judges, prosecutors, and procedures on both sides of the state line.
Bring Evidence
If you are disputing the charges, you will need evidence. Your attorney can help you gather what you need. It might include:
Dashcam footage
GPS records
Photographs
Witness statements
Proof of insurance
Repair documents
Be Professional and Polite
Address the judge respectfully.
Stick to the facts. Avoid making emotional arguments.
Do not interrupt the judge.
What to Do After Your Court Appearance
Pay fines on time to avoid late penalties or warrants.
Complete all court-ordered requirements, such as driving school or community service.
Keep an eye on your driving record. In Missouri, monitor the number of points.
If your license was suspended, understand the steps to reinstate it.
Talk to a Kansas or Missouri Traffic Court Lawyer to Learn More
Traffic court can be intimidating, but it does not have to be. If you know what to expect from the traffic court process, you can come prepared for the state’s charges. You also do not have to go it alone. A local traffic attorney can help protect your driving record, license, and peace of mind, whether you are facing a minor infraction or something more serious. Sloan Law Office provides compassionate legal representation to people facing traffic offense charges in the greater Kansas City area. We will work to find the best possible defense for your case.
Contact us today online or at 816-777-1340 to schedule a confidential and free consultation to see how we can help you.
This Post Has 0 Comments