▼

Municipal Court

Show All Answers

1. How do I clear up a warrant before I am arrested?

There are several options. You may request to come to Court and appear before the Judge. The Judge may recall the warrant and/or lower some of the fees. This will be at the Judge's discretion. If it is not a "Mandatory Court" charge you may be able to pay the amount in full. You can contact the Court Clerk to learn the status of your case.

2. Can I pay my ticket before coming to court?

Usually. most traffic misdemeanors can be paid prior to your Court date. If you decide to pay the ticket, you will not be required to appear before the judge. If you received a citation for Driving Under the Influence, Domestic Battery, Driving with a Suspended Driver's License or if "Mandatory Court" appears on the citation, you are required to make an appearance before the Judge.

3. Can I obtain an extension for my first Court appearance?

A defendant can request an extension of his/her first appearance by contacting the Court Clerk. This extension must be requested before 5:00pm on the day prior to the original date of appearance. The Court Clerk can only schedule your next appearance date out two(2) weeks unless approved by the Judge.

4. Can I pay my fine in installment payments?

The Judge may allow you to set up a payment plan. The fee for this is $25.00. If you fail to pay as agreed a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

5. Can I speak to the Judge before my Court date?

No. We are a Court of Record; all proceedings are recorded and must take place in the Court room. You may however contact the City Attorney's Office with questions about your case.

6. What is an Arraignment?

An arraignment is to make sure, first of all, that you understand any charges which have been brought against you; also that you understand any fines, penalties or procedures that may incur from this point forward. If you received a citation for a misdemeanor offense, any misdemeanor in the State of Nevada is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00 and a penalty of up to six (6) months in the county jail. That is the maximum that may incur and not necessarily what would incur in your particular case, however, that is the maximum available to the Court on any misdemeanor offense. At an Arraignment hearing you will be allowed to enter one of three pleas. You may enter a GUILTY plea. A GUILTY plea would mean yes, you did what is stated and you will take whatever the fine or penalty may be. Or, you may enter a NOT GUILTY plea. If you enter a NOT GUILTY plea, the Court will set the matter for trial. At that trial an attorney may represent you. If you cannot afford one and you need one, the Court may appoint counsel to represent you. A third plea, other than GUILTY or NOT GUILTY, is one of NO CONTEST. A NO CONTEST plea is still basically an admission of guilt; however, it does allow you to explain the circumstances involved in your particular case prior to any fine or penalty being imposed. It may also remove some civil liability should there be a suit incurred over your citation.

7. What if I receive a citation for No Proof of Insurance?

As described in Nevada Revised Statute 485.187 the penalty for driving with no insurance is a fine of not less than $600 nor more than $1000 for each violation. The fine must be reduced to $100 plus administration fees for the first violation if the person obtains a motor vehicle liability policy by the time of sentencing unless: (a) The person has registered the vehicle as part of a fleet of vehicles pursuant to subsection 5 or NRS 482.215; or (b) the person has been issued a certificate of self-insurance pursuant to NRS 485.380. If the defendant provides proof to the Court that the vehicle they were operating was insured at the time the citation was issued this charge will be dismissed.

8. What do I wear to Court?

Please dress appropriately. It is requested that you do not wear halter, crop, tank tops or cut-off shorts to court. Food and drinks are not allowed in the Court room.

9. How do I pay my fine?

The Court accepts cash, personal checks, money orders and Debit/Credit Cards.