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Violations Bureau

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

NOTICE - Nov. 19, 2009 - The 4^th Judicial District is still experiencing issues with its Traffic/Criminal phone line and payments that are trying to be made over the phone. Payments can also be made on our website by clicking on the online parking and traffic link. We apologize for the inconvenience. Proper service should be restored soon.

*** 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. ***

SERVICES AND QUICKLINKS

Want to know your court date? click here - You will need your case or citation number

(*This does not include Hearing Officer appointments.)

FINE PAYMENTS

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.

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 AND PUBLIC NOTICES

"Stop on Red" Traffic Ruling Update (February 2008)
As a result of the recent Minnesota Supreme Court's decision in the State v. Daniel Kuhlman matter, the City of Minneapolis has dismissed all pending "Stop on Red" citations effective May 7, 2007. If you have a pending "Stop on Red" citation, there is nothing you need to do with the citation because it has been "dismissed."

On October 1, 2007, Judge Mark S. Wernick issued another Order (pdf) granting the Defendant-Claimants' motions (see the State of Minnesota v. the "Stop on Red" Claimants et al. MACDL Amicus Memo (pdf)and the Plaintiff’s Response to Defendant’s Motion to Reopen a Paid or Diverted Stop on Red Citations (pdf)) and ordered that the City of Minneapolis decertify the convictions and refund all fines, surcharges and law library fees. As a result, all Stop on Red Motions to Reopen will be granted by the Hennepin County District Court in accordance with Judge Wernick's October 1, 2007, Order, without any court appearance required. However, as soon as a settlement takes effect in a pending federal class action case (Shapira v. City of Minneapolis, et al.), the Hennepin County District Court will deny motions to reopen and refer those motions to the administrator of the federal class action case. It is unknown when the settlement in the federal class action case will take effect (see the Stop on Red Motion to Reopen Standing Order).

If you were not a Defendant-Claimant in the above case and would like to Reopen your Stop on Red citation, you must file a Motion to Reopen. These forms and instructions can be found at the below links.

Minneapolis -Stop on Red Motion to Reopen Form (pdf)

Minneapolis -Stop on Red Motion to Reopen Form (word)

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.

"So You Received a Ticket, Now What?" informational video (click to watch)

Send an email via our contact form (please include a citation number if available)
Violations Bureau
612-348-2040 (phone)

Download our Brochure (pdf)

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 will continue as scheduled on Wednesday afternoons.  (more)