Traffic Offenses
Instructions for Attorneys Only
If you wish to handle your client’s traffic infraction without appearing in Court, please see the instructions below. Please be advised that if you do not resolve the case prior to the Court date listed on the ticket, your client will still have to appear in Court. You (or your client’s) failure to appear for the scheduled Court date may result in a warrant being issued for his or her arrest.
Note: Only certain offenses can be handled without your client’s appearance. The following traffic offenses Require appearances in Court:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit by 25 miles per hour or more;
- Driving 90 miles per hour or more;
- Careless and Imprudent Driving;
- School zone violations;
- Failure to stop for a school bus;
- Driving with a counterfeited, altered, suspended, revoked or cancelled license;
- Driving while intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs;
- Any offense involving property damage;
- Any offense involving a fatality or personal injury;
- Any offense that occurred while operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV);
- Any offense that occurred while the operator had a Commercial Drivers’ License;
- Any violation for which a summons to appear was issued by the Court;
- Fleeing or attempting to elude an officer; and
- Any offense which the prosecuting attorney’s office is unwilling to make a “mail-in” offer
Steps to Handle Ticket by Mail
- File an entry of appearance. We are unable to communicate with you about the matter absent your entry of appearance.
- After the entry is filed, email us a written request for a traffic plea recommendation to [email protected]. The written request must include your client’s case number and name AND an attached copy of your client’s driving record. (Information on how to obtain a driver’s record can be found at: https://dor.mo.gov/drivers/records.php)
- A General Crimes Unit prosecutor will then review the file and create a recommendation.
- In 1-3 days you should receive a recommendation from a General Crimes Prosecutor, via email, with a proposed disposition which must be completed and signed by the defendant and the defense attorney. After completing and signing, the documents must be efiled by defense counsel
- Mail the payment of the fine AND court costs in the form of a money order, cashier’s check, or attorney trust account check to Circuit clerk’s office. (Note: All checks must be payable to the Circuit Clerk
- If you do not resolve your client’s case before the Court date on the ticket or summons, or if your client does not wish to accept the recommendation, you (or your client) Must appear in Court or a warrant may be issued for your client’s arrest. If you are unable to appear in Court, please contact the division court clerk for a different appearance date.
- Verify that your client’s payment has been received and your case has been resolved online at https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do
Your recommendation will include fines and costs. For current costs please contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Where to Mail Your Payment
The Circuit Clerk only accepts cashier’s checks, money orders and attorney trust fund checks. However, if you choose to pay via phone, credit/debit cards can be accepted so long as the cardholder is the name of the defendant. Please be advised that there may be an administrative fee for using credit/debit card. Please send payments to:
ATTN: Finance Department
Greene County Circuit Clerk’s Office
1010 N Boonville Avenue
Springfield, Missouri 65802
(417) 868-4074
Questions
If you have traffic questions please contact the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office at (417) 868-4061 or the Circuit Clerk’s Office at (417) 868-4074 ext:2206. Please be advised that the Prosecutor’s Office cannot give legal advice.