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RICHLAND
MUNICIPAL COURT
Contact Information
Payment Information
On The
Internet www.certifiedpayments.net
Over The Telephone dial 1-866-549-1010
USE BUREAU CODE:
1800342
Payment
plans are available in some instances, but they may require an additional
$15 fee per violation.
Partial
payments can be made to the Municipal Court; however, you must still stay
within the guidelines established by all Payment Plan Agreements. Fines
must be paid in full by the due date. If you do not plead on all charges
shown on the citation by the appearance date, you may expect an arrest
warrant to be issued and warrant fees will be added to the amount due.
Judgements vs.
Verdicts
If a
judge tries the case, the judge's decision is called a judgment. If a
jury tries the case, the jury's decision is called a verdict. In
determining a defendant's guilt or innocence, the judge or jury can
consider only the testimony of witnesses and any evidence properly
admitted during the trial. If you are found guilty by either judge or
jury, the penalty will be announced at that time. Unless you plan to
appeal your case, you should be prepared to pay the fine and court costs
at this time.
Appealing
judgements or verdicts
If you
are found guilty, and are not satisfied with the judgment of the court,
you have the right to appeal your case. You must file your appeal and
bond within ten days after the trial date when you were convicted.
Requesting a
continuance after a trial date has been set.
If you
need a continuance for your trial, you must make the request or "Motion"
in writing, state your reasons for the continuance, and submit your
motion to the court prior to your court date. The judge will make a decision whether or not to grant the motion.
You may request a continuance for the following reasons:
- A religious holy day
where the tenets of your religious organization prohibit members
from participating in secular activities such as court proceedings
(you must file an affidavit with the court stating this
information);
- A witness is unable
to testify in your case, after you have exercised due diligence to
secure the witness' presence at trial;
- You feel it is
necessary in order to receive a fair trial;
- Good Cause;
- Any other reason
provided by law.
Juvenile (under the age of (17) and parent and/or legal
guardian requirements?
The
Municipal Court has jurisdiction over juveniles (16
year-old or younger) charged with most Class C misdemeanor
offenses. All juveniles are required to appear in open court for all
proceedings in their cases and the parent of the juvenile defendant is
required to be present in court with his or her child. Failure of a
parent or legal guardian to appear with a juvenile constitutes a separate
misdemeanor offense by the parent, and juveniles who fail to appear in
court may have an additional charge of failure to appear filed against
them. Juveniles who fail to appear or who fail to pay their fine(s) will
be reported to the Department of Public Safety, who will suspend their
drivers' license. If they do not have a driver's license, they will not
be able to obtain one until they appear in court.
Schedule of Fines
Plea(s)
information
Warrants
Dismissal
options
Defensive
Driving Course or Deferred Disposition
Municipal Court Faqs
Jury Duty
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