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Municipal Court
Overview
The Jackson Municipal Court is a division of the Circuit Court for Cape Girardeau County. The court office is located in the Jackson City Hall at 101 Court Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Cases in Municipal Court involve alleged violations of City laws issued by the Jackson Police Department. Court is usually held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month starting at 1 pm in the Missouri Room located at 100 North Missouri Street. If you have received a ticket for a municipal ordinance violation, you have certain rights and responsibilities.
View Your Rights in Municipal Court (PDF). The information on this web page is to help you understand these rights and responsibilities.
When you are given a ticket or a summons, you are also given a court date and time to appear in Municipal Court.
Remember These Court Rules
- No hats, food, drinks, or chewing gum are allowed in the Court Room
- Proper dress (no shorts) and personal hygiene are required
- Mobile phones and/or electronics are not permitted in the Court Room
Appearing in Court
When you appear in court, your name will be called. When your name is called, please approach the podium. The Judge will read the charge that has been filed against you. If you do not understand the charge, ask the Judge to explain it. When the Judge asks how you plead, you must say either "Guilty" or "Not Guilty". Pleas of "No Contest" are not allowed in Missouri Courts.
Pleading Guilty
If you plead Guilty, you are admitting to the Judge that you have committed the charge that was filed against you. The Judge will then decide what penalty will be assessed at this time. All fines and costs are to be paid the day they are assessed.
Pleading Not Guilty
If you plead Not Guilty, you believe you have not committed the charge that was filed against you. When you plead not guilty, the Judge will set the case for trial at a later date. You may choose to be represented by an attorney at trial or you may represent yourself at trial. If you plead not guilty and later decide to change your plea to guilty, you must reappear in court.
Verdict
If a case is set for trial, the City Prosecutor will present his evidence and / or witnesses against you; then you will have a chance to present your evidences and / or witnesses and to tell your side of the story. Once all the evidence has been heard, the Judge will then decide if you are guilty or not guilty. If you are found guilty, the Judge will assess a punishment, considering any explanation offered by you during your evidence while also considering the seriousness of the offense. If the Judge finds you not guilty, you are free to go.
Some offenses are payable without an appearance in Court. View a list of offenses payable out of court (PDF). Payment for those citations must be received by 4 pm the day before your scheduled court date. Sign your copy of the ticket and present or mail it to the Court Clerk's office. If you are unsure of your fine amount, you can call the court clerk's office at 573-204-0618.
Important Note: If the ticket is not paid before your court date and you do not appear in court, a warrant for your arrest may be issued and you may be subject to additional fees.
Forms of payment accepted are Cash, Money Order, Cashier's Check. If you wish to plead guilty and pay with a credit or debit card, you may do so by going to the Missouri Courts webpage and select the payments button.
Please allow 10 to 14 days from the receipt of your ticket for it to be filed with the court and made payable. Please do not send cash through the mail.