Court moves to a “new normal” in June

NEWS RELEASE

The Kansas City Municipal Court will move to a mix of virtual and in-person hearings in June and will start issuing warrants again for people who miss their in-person court dates. During the pandemic, the court held virtual hearings for everything except trials and did not issue warrants for missing virtual hearings. If you have missed court dates or past-due fines, you are urged to handle them before the new process starts.

Here is how Municipal Court will handle cases starting in June:

1. Starting June 1 all Domestic Violence cases will be in person. All trials, treatment courts, in-custody proceedings, probation violation hearings, Legal Aid dockets and show cause hearings on past-due payment plans will be in person.
2. Starting June 7 the first setting for all new cases, except domestic violence, will be a virtual hearing. Virtual hearing links and dial in information are at www.kcmo.gov/court. If you do not have computer or phone access, the court has virtual hearing kiosks at the customer service windows; or you may request an in-person court date at www.kcmo.gov/court or by calling 816-513-2700.
3. If you miss your first-appearance virtual hearing or you missed a virtual hearing during the pandemic, you will receive a summons by mail ordering you to come to an in-person hearing. COVID-19 screening will take place. Masks and social distancing are required.
4. The summons will be sent to the address on file. It is your responsibility to update your address with the court.
5. If you miss any in-person court date, the court will issue a failure to appear warrant for your arrest.

What you can do now to handle missed court dates and past-due fines before the new process begins:

• Attend a virtual walk-in docket. You may ask for a new court date, more time to complete court ordered classes and community service, to do community service instead of paying your fine or to recall your warrant. The judge, however, may decide not to recall your warrant and require you post bond instead. Virtual walk-in docket links are at KCMO.gov/court. Virtual walk-in docket are for defendants that do not have an attorney. Attorneys should not access these dockets to address their cases.
• If your case is payable, it does not require a mandatory court date and you can choose to plead guilty. You can pay the ticket online with a debit or credit card or by mail or at the drop box in the lobby with a check or money order. Include your full name and/or case number(s). No cash in the mail or drop box.
• If you need more time to pay, a fine or have past-due fines, you can request a payment plan by email.
• If you have fallen behind on probation or a treatment court plan, contact your probation officer.

Media: contact Benita Jones, Public Information officer at 816-513-6711.