Court fines and appearances may now be entered online

By Tonyi Crandell
BDN Staff Writer
tcrandell@bransondailynews.com

Branson has added a new program to its Web site that allows court fines to be paid online with the use of a credit card.

“We initiated the program because we had a big increase of the number of cases running through the municipal court,” said Lisa Westfall, Branson city clerk and court administrator.

“It was an add-on to the court software program we were already using and for me, it was something to implement as the city grew. We are trying to make paying a ticket as convenient as possible for the residents of Branson and for the people from out of town — as convenient as paying a ticket can be.”

Westfall also added that the program eliminates the need to appear in court for paying minor tickets.

“We have people who can’t make it to court,” Westfall said. “This is the wave of the future and not very many courts in the state of Missouri participate in the program. Any ticket that can be paid at the counter or mailed in can now be paid online. It’s very easy to use and all online transactions are safe and secure.”

According to Westfall, there is a state statute on the type of ticket that can be paid online.

“If the ticket is for driving while intoxicated, that kind of ticket cannot be paid online. This is only for certain tickets and state law regulates the violation type for paying online. You can also pay a parking ticket online. This is going to make it a lot more convenient for people who can’t get away from work or for people from out of town.”

There is what Westfall called a “convenience” fee to pay online, but said she believes that the program far outweighs the fee.

“The fee is only $3.50,” Westfall said. “I think this fee is minimal for online services.”

The same municipal court Web page also allows attorneys to enter an appearance, request a recommendation and receive a recommendation.

“In the past, lawyers had to enter their appearances in person or by mail,” Westfall said. “The court can now accept entries online, and a recommendation will be sent back to the defense attorney electronically.”

The first step to using the program to pay a ticket online, begins by visiting the city of Branson’s government Web site at http://www.bransonmo.gov.

Next, click on the “pay your ticket” link in the left margin of the page. Then, click on the link just below the sentence “to pay your ticket online” and follow the information and payment procedure for paying court fines.