Northeast News
July 1, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — On Wednesday, June 10, the Kansas City Municipal Court judges approved a new payment plan which will allow for installment payments for those who owe Municipal Court fines.

According to a press release from city officials, under the new plan, called Time to Pay, a person facing Municipal Court fines would be able to enter a written contract with the court, pay 10 percent of the fines owed within 15 days of adjudication and then make regular monthly installment payments for a set period of time on the balance. The plan went into effect on Friday, June 19, and will apply to new and current fines owed. The plan also allows fines from multiple cases to be combined into a single payment contract.

The length of the payment contract will vary from 30 days to 12 months, depending on the total amount owed. For example, a person who owes a total of $500 in fines will be able to sign a contract to pay $50 within 15 days and then make payments of $150 per month for three months to satisfy the balance. Each payee will receive a packet with their contract, payment information and envelopes to mail the payments to the court eliminating the need for additional trips to the courthouse.

Prior to the new payment plan, Municipal Court fines in cases that could be resolved without standing before the judge, like speeding tickets, were due prior to their scheduled court date. In cases that required a court appearance, fines the judge ordered were due in a time specified by the judge. Now both types of cases can be placed on the new time to pay plan. The new plan also complies with changes to the Missouri Supreme Court Rules, which begin July 1, 2015, which state Municipal Courts can no longer immediately issue contempt warrants when someone fails to pay their fines.

In the release, Municipal Court Administrator Megan Pfannenstiel said under the new plan, if the person fails to make payments, they first receive a letter giving them 10 days to become current or risk further court action. If non-payment continues, the court will issue a summons for them to appear at the show cause hearing. If they fail to appear, the court then will issue a bench warrant.

To apply for the plan, visit the Violations Bureau on the first floor of the Municipal Court, 1101 Locust St. If you have an outstanding payable ticket or failure to pay warrant, you can enter the plan prior to your next scheduled court date. If you are required to appear in court on your case and the judge then orders you to pay a fine, you will have an opportunity to go to the Violations Bureau following your hearing to sign up for time to pay.