You must first enter a plea. You may plead not guilty, guilty, or guilty with an explanation. If you plead NOT GUILTY, your case will be set for trial. You must appear on the date and at the time the trial is scheduled or a warrant will be issued for your arrest. At your trial, you should be prepared to present any evidence you believe will help you in your defense. The rules of evidence apply at your trial, which may prevent some evidence you may want to present from being admitted before the Judge.
By pleading Guilty, you admit that you committed the act charged, that the law prohibits the act, and that you have no defense for your act. This also relieves the City of its burden of proving a case against you. You may plead guilty for most offenses by mail or by paying your fine during court business hours.
If you were involved in a traffic accident at the time of the alleged offense, your plea of guilty could be used later in a civil suit for damages as an admission by you that you were at fault or were the party responsible for the accident. You are urged not to plead guilty if you do not feel that you are guilty.
In the case of a guilty plea or a finding of guilty, a fine most likely will be assessed. A plea of Guilty with an Explanation may or may not have an effect on the amount assessed. If you are unable to make a payment on the date of your court hearing, you must speak with the court clerk to make arrangements to pay or to be found indigent, which will result in community service being assessed. If you are given a new date for payment, if no payment is made and you do not appear on your court date, a warrant will be issued for your arrest and you may have your driver’s license suspended. If you are unable to pay your fine, you must still show up at your court date. You WILL NOT be arrested for failure to pay if you show up for court.
After a plea of guilty or a finding of guilty, the court has the authority to assess court fines and/or a jail sentence. The amount assessed by the court is affected by the facts and the circumstances of the case. Mitigating circumstances may lower the fine, but aggravating circumstances may increase the fine. You have a right to know the minimum and maximum punishment for your offense at the start of your trial.
Court costs of $24.50 per case are added to any fine assessed. Court costs are required by state law.
You must dress appropriately if you enter the courthouses. No halter tops, t-shirts, shorts, baggy pants, or other inappropriate clothing will be tolerated. You also must turn off all pagers and cell-phones.
Please check in with the court clerk in the front of the courtroom so your file will be pulled. After you have checked in you should take a seat in the courtroom as directed by the baliffs. Turn off all cell phones, pagers, beepers or any other devices you may have which might make noise while court is in session. If a cell phone or pager interrupts Court proceedings it will be confiscated. During court there is no talking except to conduct court business.
Proper attire is required in Municipal Court. If the bailiffs determine that your attire is not appropriate you will be asked to leave the Court and change into appropriate attire. This will not relieve you of your responsibility to appear in Court.
Your presence in Municipal Court today is perhaps your first experience in any court. This information has been prepared to help you understand the court proceedings and to inform you of your rights and duties. Every person should leave this court feeling that he or she has had a fair and impartial trial or hearing.
Municipal Court is the judicial branch of city government and is part of the state judicial system. The court is operated under the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri and Rules established by the Supreme Court and the Circuit Court of St. Louis County.
You are appearing in court because you have been charged with an ordinance violation by the City of COOL VALLEY. This does not mean you are guilty of any offense.
If you signed a citation in front of an officer, you did not plead guilty, but only signed a promise to appear in court on your appearance date.
Your decision on what plea to enter is the most important decision you will have to make. Be sure to read this completely before entering your plea. If you decide that you would like to seek the services of an attorney, please inform the Judge and you will be given time to do so OPENING OF COURT
As the Judge enters the courtroom, please rise. Afterwards, please remove your hat and be seated. There is no talking, drinking, or smoking during Court.
Your name will be called by the Judge. You should then step up to the podium before the bench. The charges will be read to you one at a time.
You have a right to be informed as to the nature of the charge against you and the minimum and maximum punishment for the charge;
You have the right to be represented by an attorney and an attorney may be appointed for you if you are indigent (unable to afford an attorney) AND it appears that there would possibly be a jail sentence upon conviction;
You have a right to have a trial, including a trial by jury;
At trial you have the right to question any witness who may testify against you;
You have the right to subpoena persons to testify on your behalf at your trial (a subpoena is an order from the court to a witness that they must appear at the trial);
You have the right to testify at your trial but neither the City nor anyone else can force you to testify;
If you had a trial and were found guilty you have a right to appeal that decision to another court.
You must first enter a plea. You may plead not guilty, guilty or guilty with an explanation.
You must dress appropriately if you enter the courthouses. No halter tops, t-shirts, shorts, baggy pants, or other inappropriate clothing will be tolerated. You also must turn off all pagers and cell-phones.
| Offense | Fine | Court Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corner Cutting to Avoid Signal | $70.50 | $24.50 | $95.00 |
| Driving On Closed Road | $70.50 | $24.50 | $95.00 |
| Driving Over Curb | $70.50 | $24.50 | $95.00 |
| Driving Wrong Side of Road | $70.50 | $24.50 | $95.00 |
| Driving Wrong Way (One Way Street) | $70.50 | $24.50 | $95.00 |
| Offense | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Blocking Driveway or Alley | $75.00 |
| Expired License Plates (Tags) | $75.00 |
| Failure to Secure a Load | $75.00 |
| Fake Temporary Tags | $75.00 |
| Fictitious License Tabs | $75.00 |
| Improper Exhaust or Muffler | $75.00 |
| Improper Registration (Failure to Register) | $75.00 |
| License Plate not Illuminated | $75.00 |
| No Brake Lights | $75.00 |
| No Headlight | $75.00 |
| No Inspection Sticker | $75.00 |
| No License Plates | $75.00 |
| No Motorcycle Helmet | $75.00 |
| No Taillights | $75.00 |
| Child Restraint Seat Violation* | $49.00 |
| Offense | Total |
|---|---|
| Failure to Keep to the Right | $95.00 |
| Failure to Obey Electric Signal | $95.00 |
| Failure to Obey Stop Sign | $95.00 |
| Failure to Sound Horn | $95.00 |
| Failure to Yield | $95.00 |
| Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles | $95.00 |
| Following too Closely | $95.00 |
| Impeding/Obstructing Traffic Movement | $95.00 |
| Improper Backing | $95.00 |
| Improper Lane Usage | $95.00 |
| Improper Passing | $95.00 |
| Improper/Prohibited Turn | $95.00 |
| No Through Traffic | $95.00 |
| Prohibited U-Turn | $95.00 |
| Traffic Turn Signal Violation | $95.00 |
| Judge: | Thomas Flach |
| Clerk: | Jennifer Giles |
| Address: | 8920 Natural Bridge Road |
| Phone: | 314.429.2878 |
| Court Schedule: | $75.00 |
| Website: | http://www.bel-ridge.us |