Show All Answers

1. Where are you located?

We are located at 110 West Main Street in the city of Starkville, Mississippi, and we are located inside City Hall.

The Mayor's Office, the City Clerk's Office, and the Municipal Court have three separate entrances off of Meigs Street. The entrances have the appropriate signage, and the center entrance belongs to the Municipal Court. Once you enter the middle entrance, the courtroom is immediately to your left. Map

2. Can I speak with the Judge about my case?

Speaking with the Judge about your case outside of open court is defined as ex-parte communication. Judges are strictly prohibited from engaging in ex-parte communication as dictated by the Judicial Cannons of Ethics. This communication includes email, text messages, phone calls and personal contact. Therefore, any communication with the Judge concerning a matter that is before his court or any matter that will be before his court may only occur in open court in front of the bench.

3. Can you answer questions about my case?

Municipal Court Staff can only answer questions concerning procedure. We are strictly prohibited from providing you with legal advise. If you have questions concerning legal matters, we recommend that you consult with an attorney.

4. Do I have to appear in court?

If you post a cash bond (pay your citation) for your basic traffic citation prior to your court date, you do not have to appear in court. However, you must appear for all other matters. Examples of basic traffic citations include:
• Speeding
• Running a stop sign / red light
• Careless driving
• No or an expired tag
• No seatbelt / child restraint

*** If you have bonded through a bonding company, you MUST appear at your scheduled date and time. Failure to do so will result in a warrant for your arrest.***

5. How much does my ticket cost?

Fines and the Fine Schedule are subject to change at any time based on the discretion of the Municipal Judge. Further, assessments are subject to change at any time based the discretion of the Mississippi State Auditor's Office.

6. Why must I pay assessments in addition to my fine?

According to the Mississippi Code of 1972, annotated, this court is required to charge state and local assessments for each and every conviction. These assessments range from $27.00 to over $300.00, depending on the particular charge, and they are added in addition to fines that are imposed by the Judge.

§21-23-7(11)
§99-19-73(5)

7. How can I pay my citation?

You can pay your citation one of 3 ways:

1. In person at our office by cash, bank check, money order or credit card

2. By bank check or money order mailed to our office at 101 Lampkin Street, Starkville, MS
39759

3. Paying online with a credit card at https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/starkvillems

8. Do I have to appear in court if I have paid my ticket?

You can post a cash bond for any charge. If you posted a cash bond for a basic traffic citation prior to your court date, you do not have to appear in court.
However, if you received any citation other than a basic traffic citation listed above, you MUST appear in court on the date and time listed on your citation. If you are found guilty, any cash bond you previously posted will be applied toward your fine amount.

*** If you have bonded through a bonding company, you MUST appear at your scheduled date and time. Failure to do so will result in a warrant for your arrest.***

9. What if I am unable to pay my fine?

If you are unable to pay your fine in full, you can request a court payment plan. However, to be eligible for a payment plan, you MUST appear in court at the date and time listed on your citation. If approved, you are required to pay a minimum of $100.00 per month each month until paid in full. If you fail to meet the obligations of your payment plan, you are subject to being held in contempt, at the discretion of the Municipal Judge, for non-payment of court fines.

10. I received a ticket/summons for possession of beer by a minor and/or possession of a fake ID or simple possession of marijuana. Do I have to appear in court?

Yes, the court requires a mandatory appearance for these types of charges. You must appear at the date and time listed on your citation.

11. I have a conflict and would like to request a new court date. What should I do?

If you are represented by an attorney, you should contact your attorney who will contact the court.

If you do not have an attorney, you can contact one of the court clerks at 662-323-2525 ext 7 and state the reason for your request. However, the court seldom grants continuance requests. Court is considered a priority over other activities such as work and school, and you are expected to appear at your scheduled date and time. Failure to appear may result in a warrant for your arrest. Examples of valid continuance requests are “I have been admitted to the hospital” or “I am in jail”. Also, the court will expect evidence of your hospital or jail admission.

*** If you have bonded through a bonding company, you MUST appear at your scheduled date and time. Failure to do so will result in a warrant for your arrest.***

12. I missed my court date. What Should I do?

3 scenarios may exist:

A. If an individual misses a court date for a traffic citation, the case is automatically continued for 2 weeks and our office mails a letter to the address on your driver’s license advising you of the missed court date. If you fail to appear for your second court date, 2 weeks after your initial court date, the court will issue a warrant for your arrest and suspend your driver’s license.

B. If you posted a bond through a bonding company for ANY type of charge and miss the court date that is listed on the bond, the court issues a Judgement NISI to the bonding company and immediately issues a warrant for your arrest. Further, if you miss ANY continued court date while you are on bond, an arrest warrant will be issued immediately.

C. If you received a citation for a misdemeanor such as possession of beer by a minor, simple possession of marijuana, etc and were not required to post a bond, you are expected to appear at the date and time listed on your summons. If you fail to appear, the court will notify the police officer to establish probable cause for an arrest warrant. Once that occurs, the police department will have an active warrant for your arrest.

13. I missed a court date and the police department has a warrant for my arrest. What should I do?

You should report to the Starkville Police Department located inside our building and advise them that they have a warrant for your arrest. An officer will serve the warrant and you will have the opportunity to post bond. When bond is posted, you will be provided with a new court date.

14. I received a ticket for no proof of insurance, but I have insurance. What should I do?

A. If you have proof of valid insurance at the time of the stop but simply did not have your proof, you can appear at the municipal court M-F from 8-5 and provide a copy of your valid insurance card. The insurance must show that is was valid on the date you received your citation on either 1: the defendant or 2: the vehicle that was being driven at the time of the stop. In this scenario, the court may consider a dismissal of the charge.

B. If you did not have valid insurance at the time of the stop but have it now, you must show proof to the court on your scheduled court date. The proof must show either 1: valid insurance on the vehicle you were driving or 2: valid insurance under the name of the defendant on ANY vehicle. In this scenario, the court may consider suspending a portion of the $500.00 fine.

15. Can I attend driving school?

We offer two types of driving school:

1. Driving School for those under the age of 21 when they received their citation
2. Driving School for those 21 or over when they received their citation.

Those under the age of 21 must report to court at the date and time listed on the citation. Prior to the beginning of court, one of the court clerks will make an announcement for those interested in driving school to come forward. At that time, the clerk will explain the requirements. If approved, you will sign and swear to an affidavit stating that you meet the requirements. Also, if approved, you do not pay a court fine, but do pay a fee to the driving school you attend (normally $35-$45). Additionally, the citation will be removed from your driving history.

In order to attend the 21 and over driving school, you must appear at our office Monday through Friday from 8-5 and speak with one of the court clerks to determine your eligibility. You must also sign and swear to an affidavit stating that you meet the requirements. If approved, you must pay your fine, assessments, and a $10.00 state fee. Also, the driving school will charge an additional fee (normally $35-$45). After you attend and complete the school, the citation will be removed from your driving record.

*** Providing false information on a driving school application constitutes perjury which carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and/or 10 years in prison. ***