Court Process

Dress Code

Appropriate Attire Required in Courtroom

In order to maintain order and uphold the dignity and decorum of the judicial branch of our government, rules of conduct and dress for litigants, counsel, witnesses, court staff and spectators will ensure that persons in the courtroom do not obstruct or interfere with the orderly transaction of court business nor degrade or insult the dignity of the judicial proceedings, judicial officers, witnesses and others in the courtroom. Shirts and shoes must be worn in the courtroom, and prohibited attire includes:

  • heavily soiled work clothing
  • bare-midriff outfits, shorts, cut-offs, halter tops
  • tank tops, undershirts, see-through blouses
  • bathing suits, lingerie
  • athletic uniforms, hats, helmets
  • theatrical costumes, face-paint
  • clothing emblazoned with obscene words, images, or messages contemptuous or disrespectful of the judicial process

Security Screening

All persons entering City Hall will go through security and weapons screening. All purses, briefcases, shopping bags and any carry-in items will be checked by a security guard. Individuals will be screened utilizing a walk-through and/or hand-held metal detector.

Cells phones shall be TURNED OFF prior to entering the courtroom.

Items that are not allowed in the Courtroom

Note: Persons possessing items not permitted in the courtroom will be refused admittance.

  • Firearms (not allowed in county office buildings or courthouses)
  • Knives, contraband, and all weapons of opportunity
  • iPods, radios, audio or video recorders, cameras
  • Food or drink
  • Other items that could pose a risk or threat to safety of others, or be disruptive

Your Rights in This Municipal Court

Note: This Information is provided as a courtesy of the Kansas City, KS Municipal Court and should not be construed as legal advice.

This information has been prepared to help you understand the court proceedings and to inform you of your rights and duties. Every person should leave this Court assured that he/she has had the free and unfettered right to take advantage of all the due processes of law, up to and including a fair and impartial trial or hearing.

Many plead guilty and pay fines and costs outside of court through the Violations Bureau or after a plea before the Court. Every accused has the right to an impartial Judge-tried case in this Court. Due process includes:

  • The right to retain an attorney
  • The right to trial by Judge
  • The right to remain silent
  • The right to cross-examine witnesses
  • The right to compel witnesses to appear for you
  • The right to appeal from an adverse judgment to the District Court after bench trial (trial de novo)

The Court does not pre-judge cases but views the accused as a fellow citizen who has been accused or charged with a violation of law and entitled to full protection of law as referenced above. Although the Court has a duty to administer justice, it is also obliged to treat each person coming before it with dignity, courtesy and respect.

Criminal Cases: it is not the burden of the accused to prove that he/she is not guilty; rather, it is the burden of the city prosecutor to prove "beyond reasonable doubt" that the defendant is "guilty." The Court must make this determination based on the evidence presented at trial and on the relevant ordinances, statutes, rules and case law. Absent such finding, or a plea of guilty, the defendant is deemed "not guilty."

The maximum fine and sentence for a single offense is $2,500 and/or (1) year in jail. Fines may be paid immediately or in installments. If you do not pay the fine immediately, additional court costs may be assessed. Payments are accepted by cash, debit/credit card, money order or cashier's check.

Many traffic offenses carry with conviction, assessment of points against driver’s licenses, and accumulation of multiple points will jeopardize driving privileges. For residents of other states, a record of any assessment of points from convictions in Kansas is forwarded to the home state under the Interstate Non-Resident Compact Law. Conferring with legal counsel before entering a plea of any charge before the Court is encouraged.

The Court has a duty to protect and preserve its judicial function and institutional dignity; persons appearing before the Court are expected to present themselves respectfully for Court. Gentlemen should remove hats when entering the Courtroom, no eating, drinking or smoking in the Courtroom nor talking during the Court session. All cell phones and pagers must be turned off or "silenced."

At each call of the docket, the judge will identify by groups that should get in line. The violation(s) of which you are accused will be read at that time, and you should plead "Guilty" or "Not Guilty." Your choice to plead "Guilty" or "Not Guilty" is an important decision. Please read the following explanations before entering your plea. If you decide to seek the services of an attorney, you should promptly inform the Court to enable the Judge to take your situation into consideration in scheduling your trial or plea.

Plea of Guilty

By a plea of guilty (under most circumstances), you admit that you committed the act charged, that the act is prohibited by law and that you have no legal defense.

By pleading guilty, you are waving your right to remain silent. Absent your plea of guilty, the City would have the burden of proving the case against you.

If you were involved in a traffic accident at the time of the alleged offense, your plea of guilty could be used later in a civil suit for damages as an admission by you that you were at fault or were the party responsible for the accident.

Plea of Not Guilty

A plea of not guilty means that you deny guilt and the City must prove its charges against you. Your case will be set for trial and you will be given a date to appear. You will receive no other notice of your trial date.

If you plead not guilty, you must decide whether to employ an attorney to represent you at trial. You may defend yourself but no one else except an attorney may represent you.

At trial, the City must prove the charge against you as contained in the formal complaint "beyond a reasonable doubt" before a verdict of guilty can be reached.
A plea of not guilty means that you deny guilt and the City must prove its charges against you. Your case will be set for trial, and you will be given a date to appear. You will receive no other notice of your trial date.
If you plead not guilty, you must decide whether to employ an attorney to represent you at trial. You may defend yourself but no one else except an attorney may represent you.

At trial, the City must prove the charge against you as contained in the formal complaint "beyond a reasonable doubt" before a verdict of guilty can be reached.

Plea of Contest

You may enter a plea of no contest. In this plea, used only when you are facing potential civil liability, you plead “no contest.” The court will then ask for a recitation of facts and if there is sufficient evidence, the court will accept your plea and enter a guilty finding, and impose the appropriate penalty.

The Trial

Under Kansas law, you may be brought to trial only after a formal complaint has been filed. The complaint is the document that states what you are accused of, and that your action was unlawful.

  • You have the right to have your attorney assist you through all stages of the proceedings
  • You have the right to inspect the complaint before the trial and have it read to you at trial
  • You are entitled to hear all testimony against you
  • You have the right to cross-examine any witness who testifies against you
  • You have the right to testify in your own behalf if you choose
  • You may call witnesses to testify in your behalf
  • You also have the right to have the Court issue subpoenas for witnesses to ensure their appearance at trial. However, you must obtain proper service of the subpoenas on your witnesses
  • You may be represented by counsel, although it is not required. In cases in which conviction would likely result in a jail sentence, the Court will advise you to seek counsel

Presenting The Case

As in all criminal trials, the City will present its case first by calling witnesses to testify against you. You have the right to cross-examine each witness at the completion of his or her testimony. Your examination MUST BE IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS. This is not a time to make a statement, and you MUST NOT argue with the witness. You will have the opportunity to testify later in the trial.

After the prosecution has presented its case, you may present your case. You have the right to call any witness knowing anything about the incident. You may testify in your own behalf but cannot be compelled to do so. If you testify, the Prosecutor may cross-examine you.

The Verdict

The verdict of the Judge will be based on the facts proven during the trial. In making the determination, the Judge will only consider the evidence admitted and testimony of the witnesses who are under oath.

The Judge will announce the penalty if you are found guilty of the offense. You should be prepared to pay the fines and costs at that time.

Fines

The facts and circumstances of the case and your own record affect the amount of the fine assessed by the Court. Mitigating circumstances may lower the fine, and aggravating circumstances may increase the fine. In no case may the fine exceed $2,500 per offense. All fines are deposited in the General Fund of the City of Kansas City, KS.

Court Costs

If you are found guilty of an offense, court costs will be added to the fine. Court costs are required by state law and are remitted both to the General Fund of the City and to the State Department of Revenue.

Right To Appeal

If you are not satisfied with the judgment (verdict) of this Court, you have the right to appeal the verdict to the Wyandotte County District Court.

To appeal, you must;

  1. Fill out a “Notice of Appeal;
  2. Leave a copy with the Municipal Court Clerk;
  3. File a copy of the Notice of Appeal with the clerk of the District Court, Criminal Division; and
  4. Pay a filing fee to be determined by the State of Kansas.

If you pay fines assessed, you waive the right to appeal. In addition, you may be required to post an appeal bond in an amount determined by the Judge. You will be notified by the Wyandotte County District Court of the new court date and another Judge will hear your case again in its entirety. You must file this appeal within two weeks of the judgment, or the judgment becomes final, and all fines and costs assessed must be paid to the Court.