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Violations Bureau

The Violations Bureau handles all tickets issued in Hennepin County. We help the public over the phone, by mail, and in person, with questions regarding tickets, summonses, warrants, and payments, as well as refer people to the MN Dept. of Public Safety: Driver & Vehicle Services for driver's license and motor vehicle information.

*** Effective July 1, 2009, Citations issued with multiple charges and an offense date of July 1st or after will be assessed one surcharge per incident. If you have received a multiple charge citation, instructions on how to determine your fine amount can be found by clicking on the fine amounts link below. ***

Walk-in counter and telephone services are closed to the public on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-4:30 p.m.  All court appearances and trials continue as scheduled on Wednesday afternoons.  [more]

Quicklinks

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 Traffic Tickets & the Hearing Office (brochure)

  "So, You Got a Ticket, Now What?" (12 min. video)

  Find a Court Date 
(NOTE: Case or citation number needed. Does not include appointments with Hearing Officers.)

How to Pay a Ticket

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Online

You may pay online by transferring funds from your checking or savings account, or by using Visa or MasterCard. Click Online Payment Service to pay your citation online. ^NEW! You pay online using any hand-held device with internet access.

Telephone

Citation fines may be paid with a Visa or MasterCard over the telephone by calling 612-348-2040.

Mail

DO NOT MAIL CASH! Make checks payable to: District Court Administration (DCA). Mail payment in the attached envelope or send to:         

Violations Bureau
Government Center
Public Service Level SE Corner
300 South 6^th Street
Minneapolis, MN  55487-0014

In Person

Payments are accepted at the 4 District Court locations.

Late Payments

Failure to respond to a citation within twenty-one (21) days of the date the citation was entered by the court results in increased penalties and fees being assessed.  Increased penalties could include any of the following:

• your Driver's License may be SUSPENDED,
• the amount due may be referred to a collection agency who has collection authority and may access non-public government data for the purpose of expediting collection,
• or a warrant may be issued for your ARREST.

Court Required Charges

If the listed offense is "Court Required," a "Summons to Appear" will be issued that gives you a court date.  The "Summons to Appear" will be mailed to you within 10 business days after the citation is received by the court. It will be mailed to the address listed on the citation. Failure to appear may result in a Bench Warrant being issued for your arrest.

News & Public Notices

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Traffic Ticket Informational Video Online (July 10, 2007)
The Fourth Judicial District's informational video, "So You Received a Ticket, Now What?" explains the Hearing Office, court procedures and payment options for traffic citations issued in Hennepin County.

"Each year we see over 100,000 Hennepin County citizens who have questions about how to resolve a ticket. The video is one way to strengthen public education regarding how our court system works. Adding the video to the Web site allows the public to view it any time, at their convenience.  It will also play continuously in the downtown Hearing Office reception area." said Chief Judge Lucy Wieland.

People seeking to contest a ticket must first visit a Fourth Judicial District Hearing Office before they can appear on any court calendar. Walk-in Hearing Office appointments are available at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis at 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. Appointments are also available at the following locations by calling 612-348-2040:

If a Hearing Officer is unable to settle the case, individuals may have the option of scheduling a court appearance. Approximately 85 percent of citations brought to the Hearing Office are resolved without a court appearance.

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