Belton Municipal Court Traffic Tickets: A Practical Guide

 It is common to receive a traffic ticket in Belton, Missouri.  The majority of these tickets are speeding; however they range from stop sign tickets all the way to driving while intoxicated.  This guide provides a quick outline of how to approach Belton Municipal Court traffic tickets.  The goal is to inform you to make the decisions best for you.

Should I sign the traffic ticket?

At its bottom; a Belton Municipal Court traffic ticket will have a line for you to sign.  Some people express concern that this is admission of their guilt and do not want to sign it.  The signature is your promise to show up for Belton Municipal Court on your court date.  It is known as a “signature bond.”  It is the alternative to getting arrested and posting a cash bond.  I encourage you to sign the ticket.  It is not an admission of guilt.

Should I ask the police officer questions about his speeding radar or laser?

Belton Police Department uses both laser and standing radar to gauge vehicle speed and issue tickets.  The trend is moving toward all laser tickets.  There is no need to investigate the type of machinery used when pulled over by a Belton police officer.  Claiming an error in the speed assessment device is an ineffective strategy for a non-lawyer.

Should I “negotiate” with the Belton cop?

Belton police officers have the discretion to either write a warning or issue a citation.  You may see our article on speeding ticket trends for interesting facts on when a police officer issue warnings versus citations.

There is no clear path to choose to get a warning versus being cited for speeding or another traffic ticket.  However, your chances of avoiding a costly ticket increase when you are polite, cooperative, and have a valid reason for why you were violating a traffic law.  Otherwise, you will either receive a warning or a traffic ticket and are unlikely to affect the result.

Should I fight my Belton Municipal Court ticket by going to trial myself?

My traffic ticket law firm has been handling Belton Municipal Court traffic tickets since 1969.  I have seen judges in Kansas City Municipal Court routinely dismiss tickets when the police officer does not show or cannot remember the precise ticket.  These techniques do not appear effective in Belton Municipal Court.

Moreover, from a lawyer’s perspective, it is technically difficult to go to trial on a speeding ticket case.  This may surprise you.  However, the primary defenses are evidence-admissibility-based.  These techniques rely upon the city’s prosecuting attorney failing to make an evidentiary foundation basis for the evidence he wishes to admit.

Bill Marshall is the prosecutor of Belton Municipal Court. He has been laying evidence foundation in traffic cases for nearly 40 years.  Doing research on the internet and learning a few tricks will not surpass his vast knowledge of how to win a traffic ticket case.  Moreover, if you go to trial, it will not be possible for a later attorney to set aside the finding of guilt against you, set aside your conviction, and amend your ticket to a non-moving violation.  You are unlikely to win a speeding ticket trial, alone.

What if the police officer fails to show for court?

Traffic ticket cases in Belton Municipal Court are not immediately set for trial.  The first several court dates will be status hearings.  This means the prosecution does not need to be ready with its witness and document evidence for trial.  Rather, they are preliminary hearings set by Judge Curry to determine the direction the case will go, to give the defendant time to prepare, and time to save money.

Only when the case is set for trial does the police officer need to be there.  It is my experience that Judge Curry will give the city prosecuting attorney a one-time continuance, even at trial, if the police officer fails to show for some reason.  It will take being lucky twice, having the police officer not show up for either trial date, to win using this technique.  This is a strategy unlikely to win, however it is possible.

What does a Belton Municipal Court traffic lawyer cost?

Traffic tickets vary in the amount of work they take; thus, traffic ticket prices vary.  The least expensive traffic tickets, such as speeding, stop signs, and lane violations, cost between $100.00 and $150.00 for the attorney’s fee.  Expect approximately $225.00 in fines and court costs added to that.

More serious traffic offenses such as following too close, motor vehicle accidents, careless and imprudent driving, and driving while suspended take extra work by the attorney.  The attorney’s fees will vary, based upon the individual workload of each case.  Expect to pay between $250.00 and $1,000.00, for attorney’s fees depending upon the case.  Driving while suspended or under the influence should cost at least $1,500 to $1,800.  Luckily for you, there is not a large increase in the fines and court costs amount for Belton cases of medium seriousness.

Can I negotiate my traffic ticket myself in Belton Municipal Court?

You cannot negotiate a traffic ticket as the defendant personally in Belton Municipal Court.  It is true it is possible to negotiate your own ticket in courts, such as Olathe Municipal Court, Leawood Municipal Court, and Lenexa Municipal Court.  However, those are Kansas courts, under Kansas laws, under Kansas ethical standards.  Missouri courts do not follow this (nor do virtually any other courts).

Your choices are to:

1. Handle the case yourself before the judge
2. Hire a traffic lawyer and have them handle it
3. Pay to the ticket and be convicted

What happens if I just pay my ticket in Belton Municipal Court?

Paying a traffic citation in Belton Municipal Court is a conviction.  For moving violations, these assess between two points and twelve points on your driving license.  This can result in a suspension.  It can result in a revocation of your license.  Paying a traffic ticket without an amendment is also a permanent placement on your driving record.

Click on this icon to see our article on points to determine the seriousness of just paying your ticket.

“Just paying” your Belton traffic ticket will also cause a conviction to permanently appear on your criminal record.

Do I personally have to appear in Belton Municipal Court?

You will have to personally appear at Belton Municipal Court if you do not hire a traffic lawyer.  Otherwise, you will have to personally appear.

Who is the best Belton traffic ticket lawyer?

There are a number of lawyers that handle traffic tickets for Belton Municipal Court.  The “best” traffic ticket lawyer for you will depending upon several factors:

1. The lawyer you like the best
2. A local lawyer is better than a non-local lawyer
3. The seriousness of your case – a more serious case will require a more skilled lawyer
4. The potential repercussions for you personally.  The greater the risk to you; the more competent attorney you will need.

The Belton traffic ticket lawyers at Hamilton and Associates have been handling Belton Municipal Court since 1969.  We regularly appear in Belton court.  We have developed positive relationship with the judge, prosecutor, clerks, and staff.  This familiarity eases the process for our clients.  We have as much success as any law firm for Belton Municipal Court.

In the end, it is a personal decision by you.  Hire the lawyer you have the most competence in, who has competence with your type of case, and fits your needs.