Jurisdiction
The Clearwater Municipal Court has jurisdiction over violations of ordinances through the city such as, but not limited to, property violations, animal control violations, traffic and misdemeanor violations. More serious criminal matters that are considered felonies are handled through the District and Federal Courts.
On-line Court Payments
If you would like to make a court payment on-line you may do so here Make a court payment on-line. If you need to know the balance of your case, please call or email the court clerk.
Where to Pay
All payments can be paid in the form of cash, check, or money order. Credit or debit cards are now accepted over the phone. All fines and costs are to be paid to the Clearwater Municipal Court and can be paid as follows:
- By mail to:
City of Clearwater
P.O. Box 453
Clearwater, Kansas 67026 - By personal payment at:
City of Clearwater
129 East Ross
Clearwater, Kansas 67026 - By putting in drop box located at:
East side of the Clearwater City Building
129 East Ross
Clearwater, Kansas 67026
Court Appearances
Guidelines for Appearing in Court
If you are scheduled to appear in court, it is best to arrive a few minutes early. The Court requests that when defendants do appear in court that they sit quietly and without disruption until they are called to the bench.
Please be respectful during court sessions. Make sure cell phones and other media are turned off. Food and drinks are not permitted during court sessions.
When You Are Required to Appear
Defendants are required to appear before the court on all misdemeanor charges and some traffic-infraction charges unless otherwise noted on the back of the citation received from the police officer. Tickets such as speeding, failure to yield stop sign, minor in possession of cigarettes or tobacco products, etc., can be paid to the Municipal Court Clerk on or before the scheduled court appearance date.
If payment is made prior to court, then an appearance is not required. When you receive a traffic ticket or notice to appear for a serious or misdemeanor offense (i.e. drive while driver’s license is suspended, revoked or in violation of restrictions, no driver’s license in possession, DUI, any alcohol/drug related and all battery charges), your appearance is required.
Failure to appear will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, as well as notification of possible suspension of your driver’s license depending upon your charge.
Defendant's Right To An Attorney
Each defendant has a right to be represented by an attorney in all phases of his/her court proceedings. A defendant may retain an attorney of his/her choosing, or if determined to be indigent, have a court appoint an attorney to represent him/her. The court is not obligated to appoint an attorney to represent a defendant on a charge that carries no potential jail time.
A defendant must further complete an Affidavit of Indigence sworn before the court as to his/her financial situation. Based on this information, the Judge will then determine if a defendant is eligible for a court-appointed attorney. Court-appointed attorneys are not free attorneys. They are appointed by the Court to represent defendants at a reduced rate.
The amount charged is dependent upon the charges filed against the defendant. If convicted, the defendant will be ordered to repay the City for his/her court-appointed attorney fees.
Required Alcohol Classes
If you are convicted of an alcohol violation or placed on the alcohol/drug diversion program, you may be required to attend an 8-hour Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ASDAP). There are several locations that offer this class. Upon completion of the ADSAP Class, a certification of completion will be provided to the person attending the class, and the original will be forwarded to the Court.
Required Treatment Programs
Often times, as a part of his/her sentence or diversion a defendant will be ordered to attend and complete certain treatment programs. The treatment programs are dependent upon the charge of which the defendant is convicted, and there are treatment facilities that are approved by the Court. The treatment facilities and programs are located in Wichita and surrounding area.
Court Dockets
The Municipal Court runs several types of dockets each court session.
Arraignment/Appearance Docket
This begins with your appearance before the Court and is a reading of the charges and taking of a plea. The Judge will call your name and at that time you are given the opportunity to enter your plea. Should you plead not guilty, the judge will set the matter for trial.
At time of arraignment, a defendant can also request to speak with the City Prosecutor about the charges against him/her. If a defendant pleads guilty, then the judge will pass sentence or refer the matter to for a pre-sentence investigation. This is dependent upon the charges.
Disposition Docket
This docket is designed for defendants who are requesting additional time in which to make a plea, or is a continuance set by the prosecutor to give additional time to investigate and/or negotiate the charges.
Diversion Docket
This docket is set for defendants who have applied for diversion on charges such as a DUI, minor in possession of alcohol, or other type of misdemeanor charge. The City Prosecutor determines acceptance into the diversion program. The Clearwater Municipal Court does not do diversions on traffic charges.
Non-Jury Trial Docket
Each defendant, by right of the U.S. Constitution, is entitled to a trial. This is a trial to the court, not a jury. The City and the defendant present a case according to the rules of evidence. Based upon the evidence and the law, the Judge will then determine if a defendant is guilty or not guilty. This information is also available from the court.
Pay or Appear Docket
This docket is set for defendants who have requested additional time to pay their fines. A date is set for the defendant to have either paid the fines in full or appear before the Court and answer why the fines have not been paid. If a defendant has paid the fine in full on or before the scheduled court date, then appearance is not required.
However, if the payment is not paid prior to Court, then the defendant must appear before the court to request additional time to pay. If the defendant fails to appear, either a letter will be sent assessing additional fees, or a warrant will be issued.
Review Docket
This docket is set by the Judge to monitor certain cases and a defendant’s progress with probation.
Show Cause/Probation Violation Docket
This docket is set for defendants who have not complied with the terms of their probation and must report to the court as to the violation charges.