Municipal Court Initial Appearances

Non-mandatory Appearances

If you are not required to appear, you have several choices.

• You may pay the forefeiture amount prior to your appearance date. A No Contest plea will be entered on your behalf and you will be found guilty. You will not need to appear.  
• You may appear in court on your court date and enter a plea. 
• You may enter a plea by mail or email to be received before your court date. This is the most efficient way to be heard by the judge.  Be sure to include the citation number, your current mailing address, telephone number & email address.  In your written statement you will want to let the judge know of any circumstances that you think are significant about your traffic stop.  
• You may appear via zoom on a computer or phone:
  • To appear via videoconference use the link: https://zoom.us/j/98274494564
  • To appear via phone call 1-312-626-6799. The meeting ID is 982 7449 4564
• You may call or email the court clerk and ask for a different date if you can't make it.  The court will grant only one rescheduled court date. 
• Note:  If you do not appear, the court will enter a plea of no contest on your behalf, find you guilty by default and impose a forfeiture. A notice will be mailed to you and you will be given a due date (approximately 60 days) to pay the forfeiture.