City of Raymore, MO
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Municipal Court
Know Your Rights Brochure English / Spanish
Judge Ross C. Nigro
Court Administrator Angela Davis
Business Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, with extended hours on Thursdays when we have court until 6:00 p.m.
Address: 100 Municipal Circle Raymore, MO 64083
Email RaymoreCourt@Raymore.com (Response times very)
Phone: (816) 331-1712, calls answered 8 am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 8 am to 3 pm on court days. Wait times increased due to high call volumes. Fax: (816) 331-0634
Victims and City Witnesses: Contact the City Prosecutor
Language Interpreters and ADA Accommodations available contact the court 816-331-1712 (7 days before your court appearance)
Coming to court
- Arrive arrive 15 minutes before your the time of your in-person hearing to allow time to go through security.
- Depending your case, not coming to court could:
- Turn a ticket you could have paid without coming to court into a mandatory court date.
- Result in an arrest warrant
- And in some traffic cases also lead to a driver's license suspension.
The first court date in you case is called an arraignment. The judge will read the charges, ask how you plea, and talk to you about whether you will be obtaining an attorney. This is not when you present evidence or discuss facts. That happens later if there is a trial.
- When your name is called, go up the podium.
- When the judge asks you a question, answer only the question asked as directly as possible.
- You may plead guilty, not guilty, or request a continuance.
- Write down your next court date. You are responsible for remembering it. The court is not required to send a notice for court dates given to you during court.
If you plead guilty
- The judge decides the penalty.
If you plead not guilty
- The court may hold trial that day but in most instances will continue it to a later date.
- If found not guilty at trial, case ends.
- If found guilty judge decides penalty and you have a strict 10 day deadline to file a Trial De Novo (Appeal) to have case heard in Circuit Court.
Pay in person or by mail at Raymore Municipal Court, 100 Municipal Circle, Raymore, MO 64083
Online Payments: Courts.mo.gov
Acceptable forms of payment
Payable offenses
If your citation is payable without a court appearance, open Case.net to get the fine/cost amount. If your citation does not have a dollar amount on Case.net, you will be required to appear on the court date listed on your citation.
Restrictions: We do not accept payments by phone. Business checks are not accepted. Third Party checks are not accepted. Unwrapped or loose coins in excess of $5.00 will not be accepted.
Fine Schedule: Any offense included on the Municipal Division Uniform Fine Schedule are payable outside of court and do not require any court appearance.
View the Violations Bureau Schedule here
Mandatory Court: Only certain offenses are payable without an appearance in court. The below listed violations require a court appearance either in accordance with Missouri State Law or by order of the Municipal Division Court Judge:
- All non-traffic offenses
- Any alcohol or drug related traffic offense
- Driving While Suspended/Revoked
- All offenses resulting in an accident
- Code Enforcement or Housing Code offenses
- Animal Control offenses
- Any offense not listed on the Uniform Fine Schedule
4:00p.m Attorney Docket Virtual & In-Person Click here for Webex Link
5:00p.m. Codes Docket In-Person
Webex link not working click here for more options.
All attorneys are required to electronically file entries, motions, required documents for pleas and other filings on EACH individual case they apply to. You may file an original and redacted version if appropriate. and follow all redaction requirements. The court will NOT correct or edit insufficiently redacted filings. All redactions are to be made by the filer under Court Operating Rule 2
Plea Agreements
All plea negotiations will go through the City Prosecutor William N. Marshall III view counsel letter here. Contact the City Prosecutor at least 3 business days prior to the scheduled court date for discussion of a plea offer. The Prosecutor will reply to the email with an offer.
Code Enforcement violations, which go through Special Prosecutor Jonathan Zerr are in person dockets at 5:00p.m.
Attorney's click to fill out Plea Agreement
Both Prosecutor's require all unredacted plea agreements to be electronically file 24 hours prior to court. The payment must come from the attorney at the time you electronically file the plea agreement. If the judge requires a Affidavit of Guilty Plea and Waiver Appearance please electronically file this form with plea. A court appearance may still be required on some plea's.
- A proposed Probation Order, signed by your client (defendant); AND
- The signed plea agreement from the prosecutor for the judge to verify the recommendations. The attorney also must sign the plea agreement as it states on the plea agreement form.
Please be prepared prior to the court date. The court has limited ability to provide these copies on the day of your appearance and does not have sufficient time to provide your request.
Discovery Request
If you are an attorney, use this form to request discovery on a Raymore Municipal Court Case. Click the order to complete the Discovery form. Once completed you must electronically file this request on casenet. View the Discovery Order here.
Please contact the court office at 816-331-1712 for further information.
Continuance Request
The request for continuance will need to go through the E-filling system and will be granted at the Court's discretion.
You may file a combined Entry of Appearance and Motion for Continuance. MOTIONS FOR CONTINUANCE MUST BE FILED AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. Date preferences will be considered but are not guaranteed.
If attorneys fail to appear for the virtual docket, the case will be set for an in-person attorney docket where both the attorney AND client (defendant) must appear in person for the final resolution of the case. Failure to appear on the in-person docket may result in a warrant for your client (defendant).
Attorney Withdraws
Once entered on a case, the Missouri Case.Net system considers you an attorney of record on the case and will send you court notifications until the court orders that you have withdrawn from the case. The court cannot withdraw you from a case without a motion and order. The court will not contact previous attorneys on a case to ask if they are withdrawing.
Walk-In Dockets
Walk-in dockets are a courtesy for unrepresented defendants and are in person only. Decisions are up to the judge or judge's guidelines. You usually cannot show evidence or resolve cases at a walk-in docket but will get a new court date.
- At the general walk-in dockets you may:
- Ask the judge to cancel your warrants. The decision is up to the judge.
- Request a continuance when not eligible for one online, by email, or by phone.
- Request additional time to complete probation requirements or on payment plans.
- Ask to do community service in place of paying your fines.
Original arrest warrants
- A citation was not issued at the time of the incident.
- The case was reviewed and later filed by the City Prosecutor's office.
- The judge then issued an arrest warrant for the defendant.
- The defendant will be sent a warrant notice.
- The defendant must post bond to get a court date.
Failure to appear warrants
By law Municipal Court does not issue warrants for failing to pay fines but does issue bench warrants for failing to appear in court on your scheduled court date. Consult an attorney for advice on which option is best for handling your warrants.
Where to post Municipal Court bonds
- 24/7 at designated Raymore Police Department
- Forms of payment allowed: Cash
How to find a bonding company
- The 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County website includes a list of bail bondsmen who have been approved for the purpose of signing various bail bonds as sureties and/or as attorneys-in-fact.
- You must speak with the bonding company directly to determine the percentage of the bond they will charge.
What is a cash bond?
- A cash bond means you must post the full amount of the bond with our court or at the police station. You cannot use a bonding company.
- Forms of payment allowed: Cash
Bond Forfeiture
Failure to come to court after posting bond will result in a warrant and bond forfeiture (loss of your bond money). A bond forfeiture hearing will be set where you may show cause to the judge why the forfeiture of your bond should be set aside. Bond forfeiture hearing notices are sent to the address four you on file with our court. It is your responsibility to keep your address updated with the court.
Bond Forfeiture Procedures (for bonding companies) Appearance Required
Bond Refunds
- When the case is disposed of, and if the bond was not forfeited, the bond refund is processed automatically and mailed at the end of the month to the defendant at the address on file and all fines, court costs, restitution and other fees owed will be deducted from the refund.
- Keep your address updated.
- Bonds on probation violations will not be refunded until the violation is resolved.
- If for some reason you must pick up your refund check in person you must show valid picture ID.
- Cash bonds are returned to the defendant even if they were paid/posted by another person like a relative or friend.
If you had insurance at the time of your stop and for the car you were driving, email a copy of your card to RaymoreCourt@raymore.com for the judge to review.
Request needs to be made 4 weeks before your court date.
Trials
Trial is when your plead “not guilty” and are ready to bring witnesses and evidence to contest the case against you. NOTE: All trials are in-person proceedings, not virtual.
On your trial date the judge will expect you to
- Have your evidence, including trial exhibits and witnesses with you.
- Be represented by an attorney; OR be prepared to represent yourself in a legal capacity..
Request a trial online only if you will meet all of the above expectations.
Do not request a trial if you are unsure or merely need time to seek legal advice or gather money to pay your fine. Consider a continuance or the walk-in docket instead.
Trial Process
- The case is ready to be heard by the judge.
- Each witness shall swear, affirm or declare an obligation to tell the truth.
- The City’s witnesses explain their version of what happened.
- You or your attorney can ask questions of the City’s witnesses.
- You may call witnesses to explain your version of what happened.
- You may require witnesses to come to trial and testify with a subpoena.
- The city prosecutor may question you and your witnesses, if you and your witnesses testify.
- You may choose to testify or remain silent.
-
- If you remain silent, it is not considered an admission of guilt.
- If you testify, the judge may consider any statement you make in deciding your guilt of innocence.
- The judge makes findings of guilty or not guilty.
Know your rights: Download the Guide to Municipal Court.
Know your rights: Spanish Download the Guide here
Trial Outcomes
- If you are found not guilty, the case ends.
- If you are found guilty, you can accept the decision of the judge or appeal to the circuit court.
Appeals (trial de novo)
Trial de novo appeal Information Sheet
- If you appeal your case, you will be granted a trial de novo (new trial) before a different judge.
- The request for appeal must be made within 10 (ten) days of the court’s decision and cannot be extended for any reason. The appeal bond of $30 Circuit Court filing fee must be paid when you file your appeal. Pay by money order.
- You can appeal even if you are not able to pay the filing fee and appeal bond if you complete the Poor Person Request Form and the judge finds that you are indigent.
- File in person at the Court Window or by mail.
- Making payments on any fine the judge ordered may cancel your ability to appeal.
To apply for Appeal (Trial de novo) by mail:
Download the Trial de novo Application Form
- Return it to Municipal Court, 100 Municipal Circle Raymore, MO 64083 in time to reach the court before the 10-day filing deadline expires.
- You must include a money order, made payable to the Cass County Circuit Court, for any appeal bond amount $30 Circuit Court filing fee.
or - If claiming that you cannot afford to pay the bond and fees:
- Download, complete and enclose the Poor Person Request Form (PDF) (Word) asking the judge to waive the bond and filing fee with your Trial de novo Application.
- PLEASE NOTE: You must supply the requested income information and the decision is at the discretion of the judge.
Missouri Supreme Court Rule 37 and 479.200 RSMo
Language Interpreters
If you are defendant or witness in a case and will need the court to provide a language interpreter during your hearing or trial, call 816-331-1712. An interpreter will be provided at no cost to you.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations
You have rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, if you or a witness is deaf or hearing impaired, you have the right to request assistance, including an interpreter. Request help at least three (7) days before your court date, by calling 816-331-1712
If you need help with other ADA disabilities, please call 573-7514377 or send an email to access2justice@courts.mo.gov.
Address Changes and Updates
You are required to keep your mailing address updated with this court if you:
- Have a pending case with us
- Are on probation or a payment plan
- To receive any notices the court may send when it closes
Updating your address also may help you avoid warrants for missed court dates.
Email the court at Raymorecourt@raymore.com and include:
- Name
- DOB
- Case/Ticket Numbers
- New Address
- Phone #
- Email Address
DOR Points Table
Compliance letter requests
You or your attorney may either:
- Request a compliance by email: Raymorecourt@raymore.com
- Come in person to the Raymore Municipal Court
- Make the request at your next court date
- Make the request at a walk-in docket
What will happen with your request
- If your case has a disposition (has been completed) we can issue the compliance letter upon request.
- If your case does not have a disposition(is still pending), or has a probation violation, we will need permission from the judge before the letter is issued.
- If your case is in warrant status, you must first resolve your warrant and we will need permission from the judge before the compliance letter is issued.
- If you are behind on your payment plan, you must become current or attend the show cause hearing before the compliance letter is issued.
Submitting compliance letters to Missouri DMV
- All compliance letters must be faxed, emailed or mailed directly to the Missouri DMV main office in Jefferson City, MO.
- All reinstatement fees also muse be submitted directly to the Missouri DMV offices in Jefferson City, MO or Online
Apply for Court Appointed attorney: Income guidelines will apply
Download form, fill, save and return completed application. It will be processed and you must come to your next court date to speak with the judge to determine the next steps.
Return application by:
-
- email to Raymorecourt@raymore.com
- mail to Municipal Court, 100 Municipal Circle Raymore, MO 64083
- bring it to your next court date for judge to review in person
Your Rights in Municipal Court
Forms
Your Rights in Municipal Court
Court Appointed Attorney Application
Subpoena Form (blank)
Waiver of Appearance and Guilty Plea (affidavit/waiver of appearance)
Probation Orders: Select the appropriate proposed probation order below for your case. File the proposed probation order (signed by the defendant) with the plea agreement from the prosecutor to verify the terms of the plea to the judge.
- Probation Order - Unsupervised and Intensive Supervision
- Probation Order (blank)
Trial de novo (appeal) Information sheet
- Application Note: Strict 10-day filing deadline.
- Poor Person Request Form