Columbia Traffic Court Records Lookup

Columbia traffic court records come from two sources -- the Columbia Municipal Court, which handles city ordinance violations at 600 E. Broadway, and the Boone County Circuit Court, which is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit and handles state law traffic charges. This guide covers both systems and what you need to know to search records, pay fines, or appear in court.

Columbia Municipal Court

Columbia Municipal Court sits at 600 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203. Phone: 573-874-7257. The court is also reached at 573-874-7230. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The court is closed on Fridays -- plan accordingly if you need to visit in person or call. That four-day-week schedule is different from most Missouri municipal courts, so do not assume Friday is an option.

The court handles city ordinance violations for traffic and other matters within Columbia's city limits. If your ticket cites a Columbia city code section rather than a Missouri Revised Statute, this is the court that will handle it. Check your citation carefully to confirm which court has jurisdiction over your case.

The image below shows the Columbia Municipal Court website with current information about hours, schedules, and court procedures.

The city's court website is the best first stop -- it has forms, current schedules, and contact information for specific staff members.

Court Schedule and Hearing Dates

Columbia Municipal Court posts its hearing schedule online at como.gov/municipal-court/court-schedule/. Use that page to find the date and time of your scheduled court appearance. Dates are posted in advance and are updated when changes occur.

The image below is from the court schedule page, which shows upcoming hearing dates for Columbia municipal traffic cases.

Always check the schedule online before your hearing date to confirm no changes have been made -- rescheduled dockets happen, and missing court because of a last-minute change can still result in a bench warrant.

Court-Ordered Programs

Columbia Municipal Court has a range of programs for defendants whose sentences include more than just a fine. SATOP (Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program) is ordered for alcohol-related traffic offenses. The STOP program and approved defensive driving courses are available for other violations. Community service is another option in appropriate cases.

The court also uses MADD Victim Impact Panels for some DUI-related matters. If you are ordered to attend a MADD panel, the fee is $40, paid separately from any court fine. You must complete all ordered programs by the deadline and provide proof to the court. Failure to complete can result in additional court action. Call 573-874-7257 to confirm program requirements for your case.

Parking Ticket Protests in Columbia

Columbia Municipal Court handles parking ticket protests as well as moving violations. If you got a parking ticket and believe it was issued in error, you can go through the court's protest process to contest it. Contact the court at 573-874-7257 for the specific steps involved. Not all parking disputes require a court appearance -- some can be resolved administratively without a hearing.

Moving violations are a different matter. Those require either payment (guilty plea) or a court appearance to contest. Do not confuse the parking protest process with the process for contesting a traffic citation -- the procedures are different.

Boone County Circuit Court Records -- CaseNet

Traffic charges filed under Missouri state law in Columbia go through the Boone County Circuit Court, part of the 13th Judicial Circuit. Search those records for free on CaseNet at www.courts.mo.gov/casenet. Enter the last name in all caps, comma, first name -- like DAVIS, MICHAEL L. Filter by Boone County to narrow results. CaseNet holds over 45 million statewide records and is updated within a few business days of filing. Call (888) 541-4894 for help.

CaseNet shows charges, court dates, case status, and fines for circuit court cases. It does not show municipal court ordinance violations in most cases. If you search CaseNet and do not find your case, it is likely a municipal ordinance matter -- contact the Columbia Municipal Court directly instead.

Points on Your Missouri License

Missouri assigns points to your driving record for traffic convictions. Columbia citations can add points just like any other Missouri ticket. Here is how the point system works:

• 4 points in 12 months -- advisory letter from the DOR
• 8 or more points in 18 months -- license suspension
• 12 or more points in 12 months -- 1-year revocation

Check your current point total by ordering your driving record at dor.mo.gov/driver-license/resources/records.html for $2.82. DOR phone: (573) 526-2407. The DOR points FAQ at dor.mo.gov/faq/driver-license/tickets-points.html has the full details on point values for specific violations and how the suspension timeline works.

Fines and Payment

For Columbia Municipal Court fines, pay through the city's own system -- contact 573-874-7257 or visit the court website at como.gov/municipal-court for current payment methods. For non-contested fines assessed in the 13th Judicial Circuit (Boone County), use the Missouri Fine Collection Center. Pay online at courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=136013, call (573) 522-8504, or mail payment to Fine Collection Center, P.O. Box 236, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Copies of court records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost more -- ask when you call. You can also send a written records request by mail with the case number and a check for the applicable fees.

Failure to Appear

If you miss a scheduled court date in Columbia -- whether municipal or circuit court -- the court can issue a bench warrant. The Missouri DOR can suspend your driver's license through the Non-Resident Violator Compact until you resolve the matter. A $20 reinstatement fee applies. Full reinstatement details are at dor.mo.gov/faq/driver-license/fact-nrvc.html.

Contact Columbia Municipal Court at 573-874-7257 (Mon-Thu only) or the Boone County Circuit Clerk to find out what you owe and how to clear the case. Then pay the reinstatement fee through the Missouri DOR online portal. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal charge in Missouri.

Public Records Access

Columbia traffic court records are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law, Chapter 610. You can view records in person at the Municipal Court or at the Boone County Circuit Clerk's office without charge. Copies cost $0.25 per page. The full text of Chapter 610 and related statutes -- including Chapter 304 (traffic regulations) and Chapter 479 (municipal courts) -- is at revisor.mo.gov. Self-represented parties can get help at selfrepresent.mo.gov.

Nearby Qualifying Cities

Columbia is the only qualifying city in central Missouri. No other qualifying cities are in close proximity. For surrounding rural areas, see the Boone County page below.

Boone County Circuit Court

State-level traffic charges in Columbia are handled by the 13th Judicial Circuit based in Boone County. For circuit court records, clerk contact information, and county-level court details, see the Boone County traffic court records page.