Kansas City traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off

Where is the Kansas City Municipal Court?

At 511 E. 11th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. The Violations Bureau is on the first floor. For help, email court@kcmo.org or call 816-513-2700.

How do I pay a Kansas City traffic ticket?

• Online. Search Case.net by case number, or by name with Jackson County, 16th Judicial Circuit, then Kansas City Municipal. Click Payment, then Plead and Pay.
• By mail. Check or money order payable to "Municipal Court," to 511 E. 11th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106. No cash.
• In person. At the Violations Bureau, the lobby kiosk or the drop box.

Fines on payable tickets are due by the court date on the ticket. The court says minor traffic violations carry up to $225 in total fine and costs.

Which tickets need a court appearance?

Any ticket with no fine amount printed on it. The court also says a ticket that's normally payable "may be non-payable if it was issued with other non-payable tickets or involves a vehicle accident." If you miss a mandatory date, the judge issues a failure to appear warrant. You can ask for one first-time continuance, at least three days before the court date.

What does the court say about the Driver Improvement Program?

The Kansas City court pages we read don't describe the Driver Improvement Program. That doesn't mean the court won't approve it. State law gives every court the authority. Call 816-513-2700 or email court@kcmo.org and ask before you pay.

How do I keep the points off?

Ask the court to let you complete the Driver Improvement Program before you plead guilty or pay. Paying is a guilty plea, and the points follow the conviction. If the court approves it, you have 60 days from your conviction to finish an 8-hour course on the Missouri Safety Center's approved list.

The program covers speeding, careless and imprudent driving and ordinary moving violations. It isn't available to CDL holders or drivers licensed in another state, and you can use it once in 36 months. How to ask the court.

What if my ticket isn't from Kansas City police?

A ticket from the Highway Patrol or a county deputy goes to the circuit court for the county, not the city court. Kansas City spans more than one county, so use the court named on your citation.

What happens after the course?

The course provider gives you MO Form 4444. Take it to the court for a signature, then get it to the Department of Revenue within 15 days of finishing. Form 4444.