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

Where is the Minot Municipal Court?

Court is held at the City Auditorium. Enter on the lower west side, door 4. Appearances are scheduled at 9:00 or 9:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. The clerk's office answers by phone, mail and email Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How do I pay a Minot traffic ticket?

• In person. Municipal Court lobby, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• By mail. Minot Municipal Court, PO Box 5006, Minot, ND 58702.
• Drop box. In the public entrance of the Minot Police Department.
• By phone. 701-857-4759, with a Visa or Mastercard.

How long do I have?

Fourteen days. The court says traffic and parking citations "need to be paid within 14 days of the issuance of the citation."

How do I contest the ticket?

Contact the clerk's office for a court date. At a first appearance you enter a plea. If you plead not guilty, the court schedules a pretrial conference or a bench trial for a later date.

What if my ticket isn't from Minot police?

The Minot court handles city cases. A ticket from the Highway Patrol or the county sheriff goes to the district court named on the citation.

Does the court decide my points?

No. NDDOT does. The court reports the violation to NDDOT, and NDDOT enters the points from the state schedule. A stop sign ticket is 2 points. Speeding is 0 to 15 depending on your speed. Points by violation.

How do I keep the points off?

State law lets you elect a driver training course in lieu of points for a violation worth 5 points or fewer. You have to tell the court at the time you post bond, then get your certificate to NDDOT within 30 days.

Minot's court page doesn't explain how to record an election in lieu of points. Call 701-857-4759 or email municourt@minotnd.gov before you pay and ask.

How the election works.

What if I've already paid?

The points will post. A defensive driving course takes 3 off, once every 12 months. Email the certificate to drs@nd.gov. How the course works.