Traffic Court

On March 11, 2002 City Court Judge Penny Clute announced that motorists charged with Traffic Infractions in City Court can choose to plead guilty and pay fines, or plead not guilty and schedule trials, at the City Court Clerk’s Office Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Adjournments to contact the police officer to request charge reductions can also be made by the Court Clerks.

Each traffic ticket includes a date when the motorist is scheduled to appear in Court. To resolve the case through the Court Clerk’s Office, you must go there on or before the appearance date written on the ticket. The back of the ticket also provides instructions for pleading guilty or not guilty by mail.

If the ticket is for DWAI or for a Misdemeanor instead of an Infraction, a Court appearance is necessary. The most common traffic misdemeanors are DWI, AUO 3^rd (Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3^rd Degree) and Suspended Registration. You can tell whether you are charged with an Infraction or a Misdemeanor by seeing which box the officer checked on the ticket.

Allowing motorists to resolve their tickets in the Court Clerk’s Office will save people from waiting in Court while that day’s criminal cases are handled. This can take as long as two to three hours. Of course, anyone who prefers to appear in front of the Judge may still do so.

An Information Sheet to learn your rights and options is available
here on-line and at the City Court.