Request a Virtual Court Date

How to request a virtual court date if attending an in- person court date creates a genuine hardship.

Overview

Most court dates in St. Louis City Municipal Court are in-person dates that require the defendant to appear in court in person at the scheduled time at the court at 1520 Market.

Virtual court dates may be scheduled only upon request, for good cause, and only with the approval of the judge presiding over the assigned courtroom. Good cause means that appearing in person would result in a genuine hardship. Examples may include living more than 100 miles from St. Louis, being a single parent without transportation and no child care. Inconvenience is not a hardship or good cause.

Online virtual court sessions are conducted via the WebEx application. The Missouri Supreme Court has expressly authorized the use of online alternatives to in-person court sessions.

Preparation

  1. Before requesting a virtual court date, confirm you have the following:
    • An Internet enabled device with a camera and microphone, such as a properly equipped desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone (iPhone or android)
    • A current / active e-mail address to receive information from the court.
  2. Read and understand Your Rights in the Municipal Division.

Instructions

To request a continuance from your in-person court date shown on your citation to a future virtual court date, you must submit a written request to the court in person at the Customer Service window at the court at 1520 Market, Suite 1220, before your scheduled court date.

Requests for a virtual court date or warrant cancellation submitted through MuniCourt.net will no longer be granted.

Your written request:

  1. Must be submitted to the court at least seven (7) days prior to your current court date to allow sufficient time for processing. Requests submitted less than seven (7) days prior to your current court date will not be granted.
  2. Must contain your full name, and if available, your case number. For traffic citations, the case number will be on the upper right hand corner of the citation. For non-traffic cases, the case number will be on the charging document you receive in the mail and will be in this format: 24S2-MUxxxxx.
  3. Please do not include your residence address, phone number, email address, date of birth, or SSN in your request. The customer service representative at the window will take your information for the court record at the time you submit your request. We ask that you do not include this information on your written request because your written request may be visible on Case.net.
  4. Must contain the date and courtroom for your currently assigned court date.
  5. We ask you to provide an email address for an account that you regularly use and monitor at the customer service window. By requesting a virtual court date, you consent to the court automatically enrolling you in Track My Case so that you will receive email reminders of certain events in the case(s) for which you are requesting a virtual date at the email address you provide. This will also allow the court to communicate other information as may be necessary. If you cannot provide a case number, the court may need to contact you for additional information to identify your case(s).
  6. Must state your specific reason for requesting a virtual court date, and why your reason states good cause and a genuine hardship if you are required to appear in person. Simple inconvenience does not show good cause or a genuine hardship.

You may also attend your schedule in-person court date and make a request to the judge for a virtual court date for future appearances. You will need to explain your reasons for requesting a virtual court date to the judge.

What to Expect

If your request is granted, the court will inform you by email and by U.S. mail of the time, date and virtual courtroom for your virtual session. If you fail to appear for your virtual court session, the court may issue a summons to you to appear for an in-person session or may issue a warrant for your arrest.

Do not assume that your request for a virtual court date has been granted by the court unless you receive a notification of a virtual court date. You may also check your case(s) on CaseNet for information. If your request is denied or you have not received notification that it has been granted, you must appear on your in-person date.

Contact

Municipal Court

stlccweb@stlouis-mo.gov

(314) 622-3231

1520 Market St., Suite #1120
St. Louis, MO 63103

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday except City Holidays

Contact the Municipal Court

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