Circumstances in which you are entitled/appointed a cost-free attorney if you are indigent and facing the possibility of a jail sentence.  To obtain your own attorney, you can contact the Missouri Bar Association https://missourilawyershelp.org/Cost-free legal assistance.

CLICK HER FOR FURTEHR INFORMATION RIGHTS IN COURT

Court information is available on FMC website.  

If you received your citation/summons BEFORE May 5, 2021, - Contact the court clerk at 314-524-5264

If you received your citation/summons AFTER May 5, 2021, you may plead guilty and pay online at https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=1886

 (you must have your case/ticket number).  Payment can also be made in person at the Municipal Court Building located at 110 Church Street, Ferguson, MO  63135 in the form of cash, cashier’s check, or money order.  NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Additionally, payment can be mailed to the Municipal Court Building in the form of a cashier’s check or money order (the cashier’s check or money order must be made out to the City of Ferguson).  For after-hours payments, a drop box is located to the left of the front door of the building at the top of the stairs (envelopes are provided).

Many, but not all, matters can be resolved without an appearance by paying the outstanding fines and fees. Doing so constitutes a guilty plea. www.fergusoncity.com/DocumentCenter/View/5292/FMC-30---Fees-and-Fines

Any person may plead “not guilty” to a charge. Procedures for pleading “not guilty” at an appearance https://www.fergusoncity.com/DocumentCenter/View/6788/FMC-Policy-10-Final-All-docs

At the time of your appearance before the Judge at pleading, defendants may request reduced fines and fees by following the procedure for Ability to Pay Determinations discussed in FMC Policy 3.0 § B.  Statement of Financial Condition Form available on FMC Website.  

Defendants must request Community Service Plan from the Judge in court

Anyone may request community service in lieu of fines.  The procedure for requesting and completing community service is discussed in FMC Policy 3.0 § C.3.  The list of pre-approved community service organizations available on FMC website.  To track the service, the Time Sheets are also available on FMC website

Appear at the clerk's window and complete a change of address form. Contact the court department for additional options. 

General information is available on the St. Louis County Mental Health Court website. (section F) www.fergusoncity.com/DocumentCenter/View/6788/FMC-Policy-10-Final-All-docs

Please bring the following items with you to your Court Date:

• Proper Identification
• Copy of the citation/summons
• Copy of bond paperwork if a bond was posted
• Any documents to provided compliance (current insurance, proof of license reinstatement and/or vehicle registration, etc.)

The judge may issue a warrant for arrest in any case where the defendant fails to appear for scheduled court hearings. Outstanding warrants (except if there is a license hold or suspension) can be resolved by, posting a bond with the court to get a new court date, plea and pay on a qualifying violation at the clerk window.      More information is available in FMC Policy 4.0. & 6.0

Call or visit Court Clerk if you have an outstanding warrant.  Copy of FMC Policy 4.0 available at the Courthouse.  

You can set up monthly payment arrangements at your court date after you have pled on your charges before the Judge.  No payment agreement shall be issued unless a full and accurate Social Security Number is provided. The Judge will determine your eligibility to pay and set a monthly payment plan until balance is paid in full.  This could be in 30, 60, 90 or 120  days from date of plea.  If you are unable to make your payment by the due date or within the following 30 days. 

1. The entire balance is due to the court immediately.

2. Future tax refunds being intercepted for past due amounts.

3. Delinquent amounts are being turned over to a collection agency.

4. Delinquent amounts are being reported to credit reporting agencies.

If you payment is not made by the due date,  you may visit https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=1886

1. The entire balance is due to the court within 30 days.

2. Future tax refunds being intercepted for past due amounts.

3. Delinquent amounts are being turned over to a collection agency.

4. Delinquent amounts are being reported to credit reporting agencies.

5. No payment agreement shall be issued unless a full and accurate Social Security Number is provided.

The goal of the Ferguson Municipal Court is to assist you in resolving your cases.  However, neither the Judge nor the Court staff can give you any legal advice.  You will always have the option to hire an attorney at any point of your case,.  However, you are not required to as you also have the option to represent yourself.  Additionally, you can set up a payment arrangement or other alternatives if fines are assessed.  Please refer to the Rights and Responsibilities section for more information.

For help, please contact the Court Administrator at (314) 524-5264 or by e-mail.

ADA ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS:

To request an accommodation due to disability for court programs, activities, or services, please complete an ADA Request Form and send it to Ferguson Court by email at:

FergusonCourt@FergusonCity.com

Please provide two weeks’ notice, or as much notice as is practical, so the Court can attempt to provide the accommodation. Failure to provide adequate notice may result in an accommodation being unavailable and thus denied.

ADA ACCOMMODATION REQUEST FORMS:

FORMS ARE GENERALLY SUBMITTED BY ATTORNEYS, BUT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SELF-REPRESENTED WILL NEED TO FILE THEIR REQUESTS THEMSELVES.

ADA – ADA FORM

Motion for Order to Appoint Interpreter Interpreter Request Form - Use this form to file a motion to have an interpreter appointed for an individual appearance. Please note that a new form must be completed each time an interpreter is requested in a case.

ADA INFORMATION:

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilities that became effective July 26, 2000. The United States Department of Justice enforces the requirements of Title II, addressing programs, services, and activities of state and local government. Missouri’s courts strive to make the courts’ programs and services accessible to all. Visit the ADA home page on the United States Department of Justice website for more information.

The Access to Justice Program helps courts provide full community access to programs within existing facilities and offers guidance on planning new construction and renovations. The program also guides courts in providing auxiliary aids and services for individuals requesting accommodations due to a disability.

By statute, courts are required to provide, based on expressed needs, auxiliary aids or services to interpret any proceeding for a person who is deaf or hard of hearing (Section 476.753, RSMo). This includes a person who is a party, juror, witness, spectator, or a juvenile whose parent, guardian, or foster parent is deaf or hard of hearing, if the juvenile is brought to any court proceeding.

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities based on disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Please see FMC Policy 2.0 – Requests for Continuance.

If you feel that you are indigent and are unable to pay your fine or complete community service, you can request an Ability to Pay Determination hearing at your court date.  You will be required to fill out the Statement of Financial Condition form.  A copy of the form can be found under the Forms section or will be provided to you at your court date.

Defendants who do not appear in court when scheduled will generally have a warrant issued by the Judge, license suspension, and/or hold place on the driver’s license to compel their appearance. License holds can be resolved by either paying outstanding fines (see “How to make payment” above) or appearing in court to resolve the matter.