This website uses cookies to store your accessibility preferences. No personal / identifying information is stored. More info.

logo

Municipal Court

Aaron J Martin, Judge
Mary Kay Lutz, Prosecuting Attorney
Marna Williams, Court Clerk
 
The Tipton Municipal Court is a Division of the Circuit Court of Moniteau County. It decides cases involving alleged City ordinance violations.  If you have received a ticket for a municipal ordinance violation, you have certain rights and responsibilities.  Court is held on the third (3rd) Monday of each month at 6 p.m., 101 E. Moniteau St, Tipton, MO.  
 
Payment Options
The Tipton Municipal Court accepts personal checks, cash, money orders, and cashier’s checks.  
 
Some tickets can be paid for prior to your Court date. If you wish to plead guilty without coming to court and your violation is listed in the prepaid fine schedule, follow these steps:
1. Sign your name to the “Appearance, Plea of Guilty and Waiver” on the back of your ticket,
AND
2. Include your payment, payable to Tipton Municipal Court, and mail to PO Box 517, Tipton, MO 65081 or visit the Municipal Court from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon – Fri, at 101 E. Moniteau St, Tipton, MO.
 
Debit and credit payments can be made online at Missouri Case.net.  Debit and credit cards are assessed a 4% convenience fee and are only available for online or in-person payments.  
 
If you wish to plead not guilty, or you were involved in an accident, you must come to court.
 
Court Arraignment
When a ticket is issued for an ordinance violation, the defendant is given a date and a time to appear in Municipal Court for their arraignment. At the arraignment, the Judge will read the charge that has been filed against the defendant by the City's Prosecuting Attorney. The defendant must then plead 'guilty' or 'not guilty'. By law, those are the ONLY pleas which can be accepted by the Court.
  1. Guilty Plea – If the defendant pleads guilty, the defendant is telling the Court that he or she has committed the act that he or she is being charged with and that act is a violation of a valid city ordinance. The Judge must then decide what penalty will be assessed. At this time, the defendant will have an opportunity to communicate any special circumstances that the Judge should consider. The judge will then assess a penalty in accordance with the law, taking into account the seriousness of the offense and any explanation offered by the defendant. If the defendant pleads 'guilty', the Judge will find the defendant guilty. Any explanation that is subsequently offered by the defendant can only affect the penalty assessed. By pleading 'guilty', the defendant waives the right to a trial, the right to be represented by an attorney and the right to appeal this matter. There will not be an opportunity at a later time to say that the charge against the defendant is not true. 
  2. Not Guilty Plea – A plea of 'not guilty' means the defendant believes he or she has not violated the law in the manner and form charged on the ticket. When the defendant pleads 'not guilty', the Judge will set a date for trial. At the trial, the City Prosecutor will present evidence against the defendant and then the defendant will have a chance to tell his or her side of the story. A defendant does not need to be represented by an attorney in order to plead 'not guilty'. A defendant may represent him or herself at trial. If a defendant pleads 'not guilty', an appearance in Court is required. If the defendant wishes to change their plea to 'guilty', the guilty plea must be entered with the Judge, on or before the date set for trial.
Caution: Whenever a defendant is found guilty in Municipal Court of a moving violation, a copy of the conviction is sent to the MO Dept. of Revenue’s Operators and Chauffeurs License Registration Unit. That department will assess points against the defendant as required by law. You should call the MO Dept. of Revenue for additional information. Also be aware that a conviction for a moving violation may affect the amount you pay for automobile insurance.
 
It is within Court's discretion to grant continuances. The Court is reluctant to grant continuances except in extraordinary circumstances. The Court may require written proof of your excuse.
 
Summons
If you miss your first court date, you will receive a summons in the mail (the address on file with the court), that will include your new court date.  It can also be found online at Missouri Case.net.
 
Your summons requires you to appear in person before the Tipton Municipal Court on the date written unless:
1. Your violation is one listed on this fine schedule,
AND
2. You wish to plead guilty in writing and pay your fine and costs to Tipton Municipal Court, mail to PO Box 517, Tipton, MO 65081 or visit the Municipal Court from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon – Fri, at 101 E. Moniteau St, Tipton, MO, prior to your new court date.
 
Warning: If you fail to appear in court after a summons is issued or your payment has not been received by your court date, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.