Hennepin Violations Bureau & Hearing Office

Hennepin County District Court »

The Violations Bureau handles in-person fine payments and answers questions about tickets. Hearings Officers may talk with you about your ticket and give you options.

Quick Links:

The Hennepin County Violations Bureau and Hearings & Fines Management Office are located in the Hennepin County Government Center, in downtown Minneapolis, on the Skyway Level past weapons screening. (Address below)

The Violations Bureau is where you can go to pay a fine, schedule a Hearing Officer appointment, or speak with a court clerk.

The Hearing & Fines Management Office is where you can go to meet with a Hearing Officer to find out if you have any options when it comes to taking care of your ticket. All Hearing Officers work remotely and conduct video hearings. Hearing Officers hold video hearings by appointment. You can also walk in and talk to a Hearing Officer at the downtown Minneapolis location without an appointment by using our onsite video/audio equipment. 
 

Hearing Officers are no longer available in person at the suburban locations (Brookdale and Ridgedale, addresses below). You can come in person to any location, including the suburban locations, to use our video/audio equipment onsite to attend your video hearing if you do not have equipment of your own.
 

Schedule a Hearing Officer Appointment

You can call the Court Payment Center (Metro (651) 281-3219, outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611) to talk to schedule a Hearing Officer appointment. You can also click on the chat button above.

Pay a Fine with the Statewide Court Payment Center:

  • Online
  • Phone: Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611
  • Mail: Minnesota Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar MN 56201 (do not mail cash)


Downtown Minneapolis location:

Division 1 - Hennepin Co. Govt. Center
300 South 6th Street
Skyway Level
Minneapolis, MN 55487
(612) 348-2040 (Crim/Traffic)
Map


Suburban Court locations:

Division 2 - Brookdale
6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
(612) 348-2040 (Crim/Traffic)
Map

Division 3 - Ridgedale
12601 Ridgedale Drive
3rd Floor
Minnetonka, MN 55305
(612) 348-2040 (Crim/Traffic)
Map

How can I pay a ticket?
What should I do if the offense is "Court Required?"
Do I need a lawyer if I go to court?
How do I find a lawyer?
I got a ticket for "No Proof of Insurance," but I have insurance on the car. What do I do?
The meter was defective. What do I need to do?
I paid to park at an electronic parking meter and still got a ticket. What can I do?
How do I get my driver's license back?
I sold a car, but then got a citation for it. What do I need to do?
I can't find the seller. How do I get the title for the my car put in my name?
I sent in too much money. What do I need to do?
I already sent in a check, but it was not enough. What do I need to do?
I missed a court appearance and have a bench warrant. What do I need to do?
What is a "street cleaning" violation in Minneapolis?
What does "Snow Emergency" mean?
I was ordered to pay a court fine. How can I pay it?

Please Note: For questions on driver's license, driving record, car title or registration, and license plates, please contact Driver & Vehicle Services (DVS).

How can I pay a ticket?
Visit our Payment Options page to learn how you can pay online, in person, by phone or by mail.

Late Payments: Failure to respond to a citation within thirty (30) days of the date the citation being entered into the court's record system results in late fees and increased penalties. The penalties could include one of the following:
  • your driver's license may be SUSPENDED;
  • the amount due gets referred to a collection agency that may access non-public government data for the purpose of handling collection;
  • a warrant may be issued for your ARREST; or
  • failure to pay five or more traffic or parking citations may result in impoundment of your vehicle until the fines are paid.
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What should I do if the offense is "Court Required?"
If the listed offense is "court required," a "Notice (Summons) to Appear" in court at a set date and time will be mailed to you within 10 business days after the court gets the citation. It will be mailed to the address listed on the citation. Failure to appear in court may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest. If you have questions about the charge(s), please call the Criminal Court at (612) 348-2040.
 
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Do I need a lawyer if I go to court?
No, but if you are not sure what to do or how to argue your case, you should talk with a lawyer. Brief legal advice from a volunteer attorney may be available the Legal Access Point Clinic at the Hennepin Court Self-Help Center.

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How can I find a lawyer?
Learn more about Self Help Legal Resources. You can find a lawyer by getting referrals from Bar Associations, community agencies, friends, employee assistance programs, and other people you trust. A free legal advice clinic might also be a service offered at your courthouse.
Many attorneys offer "limited scope" or "unbundled" services. This means that they will work on a specific task for you, and you don't have to hire them for the whole case. Some lawyers also offer a free initial consult.

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I got a ticket for "No Proof on Insurance," but I have insurance on the car. What do I do?
The proof of insurance must cover the date of the offense AND have the vehicle identification number (VIN) on it. A bill or statement is NOT valid proof of insurance. When you give the court valid proof of insurance for the offense date, the ticket will be dismissed in most cases.

Show your proof of insurance to the court in one of three ways: 
  • Mail it to: Court Payment Center, P.O. Box 898, Willmar, MN 56201
  • Fax it to the Court Payment Center at (320) 231-6507
  • Bring your ticket in person, with the proof of insurance, to any of the four District Court locations listed on our main page
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The meter was defective. What do I need to do?
If you got a ticket at an electronic parking meter and have the receipt that shows you paid for the space (meter) at the time the ticket was issued, for more information continue to how to settle that electronic meter ticket.
If you received a ticket at a meter that was defective, you must report the meter and ticket numbers to the Traffic Violations Bureau by calling (612) 348-2040.
 
If the meter is found to be defective, the citation will be canceled. If the meter is not found to be defective, you would need to either pay the fine or contest the ticket. You may check the status of the ticket online or by calling (Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611) and enter the ticket number. If the ticket has not been canceled, and you would like to contest the ticket, you can meet with a Hearing Officer.

If you have not received a citation but want to inform the city that a meter is defective you may do so at: Back to top

I paid to park at an electronic parking meter and still got a ticket. What can I do?
If you got a ticket (citation) at an electronic parking meter and you have a receipt showing that you paid for the space (meter) listed on the ticket, we will check to see if there was a proper payment. Please send us a copy of your receipt and ticket to:
  • Email: 4thcitations@courts.state.mn.us; (*Please note: it may take several days to respond to your email), or
  • Fax: (612) 348-6268; or
  • Mail: Send us the ticket and a copy of your receipt in the envelope that came with the ticket, or mail them to us at: Violations Bureau, 300 S. 6th St., Hennepin Co. Govt. Ctr., Minneapolis, MN 55487-0014.
*If you paid for the wrong space number, you would need to pay the fine or see a Hearing Officer to contest the ticket.

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How do I get my driver's license back? 
Suspended driver’s license due to unpaid ticket(s)
If your driver’s license has been suspended due to an unpaid ticket, you must settle the outstanding ticket before your license can be reinstated. Call the Court Payment Center (Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611) to arrange for payment or a court appearance.

Revoked driver’s license
If your driver’s license has been revoked, call the MN Driver & Vehicle Services Division at (651) 296-6911 to learn about your options. 

The Minnesota Judicial Branch publishes a forms packet called Petition for Hearing on Reinstatement of a Driver's License, but those forms CANNOT be used when the license was revoked for: 1) failure to take or pass an alcohol or drug test OR 2) failure to pay court-ordered child support or maintenance. Talk with a lawyer if you need more help with your case.

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I sold a car, but then got a citation on it. What do I need to do?
Read and follow the steps in the Vehicle Owner Change Instructions. Another helpful resource is the Vehicle Transfer Facts published by the MN Dept. of Public Safety.

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I can't find the seller. How can I get the title of my car put in my name?
Contact the MN Driver & Vehicle Services division to see what options you have in your situation. Information on how to ask for a court order to transfer title is available in the Help Topics.

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I sent in too much money. What should I do?
Ticket payments are processed by the statewide Court Payment Center. If you believe you may have sent an overpayment, please call for more information on how to resolve this: Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611.

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I already sent in a check, but it was not enough. What do I need to do?
Ticket payments are processed by the statewide Court Payment Center. If an underpayment is received, the check or money order is processed as a "partial" payment. The additional amount owed must be paid immediately using one of the available ticket payment options.

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I missed a court appearance and have a bench warrant against me. What do I need to do?
Visit the Hennepin County Sheriff's Warrant Office website or call the office at (612) 348-2000.

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What is a "street cleaning" violation in Minneapolis?
Each spring and fall the City of Minneapolis removes of dirt, sand, salt residue, leaves, and debris from the city streets. The City posts temporary no-parking signs when a street is to be cleaned. Vehicles parked on those streets during the temporary parking ban will be ticketed and towed.
Learn more about Minneapolis Street Sweep.

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What does "Snow Emergency" mean?
If your city has declared a "snow emergency," that means that no one can park a vehicle on certain streets for a period of time. Each city has different snow emergency rules. Contact your local city office for details. For current Minneapolis snow emergency information, see: Minneapolis Snow Emergency.

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I was ordered to pay a court fine. How can I pay it?
Criminal Court fines are due the day they are imposed. 
Your fine may be paid online, by phone, or by mail. You can search using your case number to see if it is payable online.  

You may pay in person at the four Hennepin County District Court locations listed on the main page using cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa or Mastercard).
OR
You may send checks or money orders made out to "District Court Administration" to:

Hennepin County District Court, Criminal Division
Hennepin County Govt. Ctr.
300 S. 6th Street, PSL
Minneapolis, MN 55487 Other Questions?
Call the Court Payment Center at Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611, use the chat button above, or ​send an email via our contact form (please include a citation number if available).
 

Types of Tickets & Fines

Many types of citations (tickets) and fines issued in cities in Hennepin County are processed at Hennepin County District Court, including: parking , traffic, criminal, municipal ordinance, boating, and Department of Natural Resources (game and fish).
 

Payable citations

A "payable" citation is one that does NOT require a court appearance, and payments are made to the court office called Violations Bureau. View Payment Options.
 

Administrative citations

Some citations are called “administrative" and are not payable to the court, but rather must be settled with the city government where they were issued. If the words "District Court" or "Violations Bureau" do NOT appear on the ticket, it is probably an "administrative" ticket. Carefully read the front and back of the ticket to see how and where you can pay or contest the ticket. MN Statutes § 169.999 allows local governments to issue administrative tickets in certain situations.
 

Court-required citations

“Court-required” citations are those that require the person who got the ticket to appear in court at a specific date and time. If you got a citation that says “court required,” the court will send you a “Notice to Appear” to the address currently listed on your driver's license or ID, or to the address you gave to the court during the case. You must appear at the hearing or a warrant may be issued for your arrest. Call (612) 348-2040 if you need to change the hearing date. NOTE: If the court ordered you to pay a "fine," you cannot pay it online. You must pay court fines by mail or in person. Visit the Pay a ticket or Fine tab for details.

 

“Not Guilty” or Cannot Afford to Pay a Ticket

In many cases, it may be possible to set up a payment plan. Call the Court Payment Center to see if you are eligible for a payment plan at: Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611. 
You can also meet with a hearing officer about a ticket if you believe that you are not guilty of the charge(s) or you cannot afford the fine. A hearing officer can explain possible options for settling a citation besides pleading guilty or paying the fine. In some cases, they can reduce or dismiss the charges, or give you other options to do community service rather than pay money. Approximately 90% of people who meet with a hearing officer settle their case. If your case does not settle with a hearing officer, it may get scheduled for a court hearing. 

Terms:

Certifiable: This term refers to whether a conviction on a violation or an offense is sent to the MN Driver & Vehicle Services agency to be included in the defendant’s driving record.

Collection: This is a process we use to collect unpaid fines. 

Collection Agency: This is a company or agency the District Court has contracted to collect unpaid fines for parking and many other violations. The company or agency uses all of the normal collection methods of a professional collection agency.

Continuance for Dismissal (CFD): This is a program that offers the possibility of future "dismissal" of a charge. There is a fee for prosecution costs and there are conditions which requires you not to get the same or similar charges for one year. This program is usually used to avoid a conviction to the driving record. A $75 surcharge is assessed on cases charged under MN Statute § 169. See Surcharge below.

DAS | DAR | DAC: These stand for Driving After Suspension | Revocation | or Cancellation, which means that your license was not valid when you were stopped while driving. It is illegal to drive in Minnesota unless your driver’s license is valid. The charge is a misdemeanor and could result in your license being suspended again.

Driver’s License Suspension: MN Driver & Vehicle Services has suspended the privilege to drive until certain conditions are met. One kind of suspension is because you have failed to appear or pay fines on citations. When the citations are settled, the driver’s license can be reinstated. Another kind of suspension is because a "Driving After Suspension" is certified to your record or because you have too many traffic violations on your driving record. This kind of suspension is for a specific number of days and requires you to pay a reinstatement fee to get your license back.

Driver’s License Revocation: MN Driver & Vehicle Services has revoked your driver’s license for a certain period of time because a Driving While Intoxicated violation, Insurance violation, or a Marijuana in a Motor Vehicle violation has been certified to your driving record. You will be required to: take a driver’s test; prove that you have insurance; and pay a reinstatement fee before your driver’s license can be reinstated.

DVS/DPS: DVS is the MN Driver & Vehicle Services within the MN Dept. of Public Safety (DPS). This is the agency which controls your driver’s license and driving record.

Equipment violation: A violation which means there is something wrong with your vehicle such as a cracked windshield, faulty brakes, faulty muffler, etc. A license plate violation is also an equipment violation. Some equipment violations, such as driving without headlights, are certified to your driving record.

Fine: The money you pay as a penalty (or sentence) for a violation.

Moving violation: A violation which has to do with the way you may drive a vehicle in an illegal manner, such as speeding or running a red light.

MNCIS: Minnesota Court Information System is an online database of Minnesota Court Records. including the criminal and traffic courts. "MPA Remote" is the name of the public version of MNCIS available on the internet. MPA Remote is subject to restrictions listed in the MN Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Online records do NOT include street addresses for parties, or information on pre-conviction criminal, traffic, and petty misdemeanor cases. Pre-conviction criminal information is only available on-site at the courthouse public-access records terminals or by calling (612) 348-2040. NOTE: "Driving Records" are maintained by the MN Dept. of Public Safety and their phone number is (651) 297-3298.

Scofflaw: A term used to refer to a person who ignores citations on a regular basis and has received a number of unpaid citations. The person “scoffs” at the law. A vehicle with 5 or more unpaid citations will be put on the scofflaw list and may be towed and impounded until all of the citations are paid.

Sentence: The penalty given for a violation of the law. A sentence may include a money fine and, for misdemeanors and higher, may include jail time.

Snow Emergency: A process where the city government plows the street to remove large amounts of snow. If your car is parked on a street that needs to be towed, you could get a ticket and have your car towed. Find more information on snow emergencies here.

STS: Sentencing to Service is a program of the Hennepin County Probation Department that is kind of like a “work squad.” Each day of STS is an 8-hour work day, and a person may be ordered to serve a number of days of STS instead of spending time in jail or paying a fine. STS now offers the ability to work your STS days in 4-hour shifts as well. Sometimes STS is also an option to settle a ticket with a Hearing Officer.

Surcharge and law library fee: Under Minnesota law, surcharges and law library fees may be added to the amount of a fine. Currently, surcharges and law library fees are as follows:
 
  • Surcharge on parking violation = $12.00 MN Statute § 357.021, subd. 6.
  • Surcharge on criminal/traffic violation = $75.00 MN Statute § 357.021, subd. 6.
  • Diversion surcharge = $75.00 MN Statute § 357.021, subd. 6, assessed on traffic violations charged under MN Statute § 169 when a person enters a diversion program, continuance without prosecution, continuance for dismissal, or stay of adjudication.
  • Law Library Fee = $3.00 MN Statute § 134A.09 (in Hennepin County).
  • When a defendant is charged with more than one offense in a case, the appropriate surcharge ($12 parking surcharge or $75 criminal/traffic surcharge) is assessed only once in that case.
  • If a citation includes multiple offenses, one of which is a parking offense, the $75 criminal/traffic surcharge is assessed in that case. MN Statute § 357.021, subd. 6.
  • When a defendant is charged with more than one offense in a case, the appropriate law library fee shall be assessed only once in that case.
  • If a citation includes multiple offenses with different surcharges, the highest applicable surcharge is assessed. MN Statute § 134A.09, subd. 2a and § 134A.10, subd. 3.
Traffic Violation: A violation of the law that involves the operation of a vehicle.

ViBES: Violations Bureau Electronic System is the system that was previously used in the Hennepin and Ramsey County District Courts for processing traffic/payable citations. In January 2016, the ViBES System was retired and all traffic/payable citation records were moved to the statewide case management system called MNCIS (see above).
Traffic and parking tickets (and any late fees) must be paid in full. In many cases, it may be possible to set up a payment plan. Call the Court Payment Center to see if you are eligible for a payment plan at: Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611.
 

Pay a Fine with the Statewide Court Payment Center:

Online

You can pay your citation (ticket) online by transferring funds from your checking or savings account, or by using Visa or MasterCard. The Payment System can also be accessed with your smart phone or other hand-held web device.  A convenience fee will be added.

No Records Found? If you get a message of "No Records Found" in our online payment system, there may be a delay entering the citation into the court's records. You have 30 days from the time the citation is entered into the court's records to respond to it. Please try again in a couple of days.
 

Phone

You can pay your ticket or citation with a Visa or Mastercard by calling Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611. Please note: A convenience fee will be added.

 

Mail

DO NOT MAIL CASH. Make check or money order payable to: "District Court Administration" and mail your payment to:

Minnesota Court Payment Center
P.O. Box 898
Willmar, MN 56201
 

In Person

Payments can be made in person at any of the Hennepin Courts listed on the Violations Bureau & Hearing Office page. You can pay in person during business hours (8:00am-4:30PM) with:
 
  • cash,
  • check or money order (payable to "District Court Administration"), and
  • Visa and MasterCard credit cards.
Each location also has a drop box for after hours payments. DO NOT leave cash in the drop box.
 

Late Payments

You must pay your citation within 30 days of it being entered into the court's citation system. If you miss that deadline, increased fees and other penalties may added, including any of the following:
 
  • your Driver's License may be SUSPENDED,
  • the amount due may be referred to a collection agency that may access non-public government data about your citation for the purpose of handling collection,
  • or a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

Citations with "Court Required" Charges

If the listed offense is "Court Required," then 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.
You may talk with a Hearing Officer about your "payable" citation (ticket) if you believe that you are not guilty of the charge(s) or you cannot afford to pay the fine. A Hearing Officer can explain options you may have to settle the ticket other than paying the fine outright. Depending on the facts of your case and your violation history, some of the options they may be able to offer include:
  • a reduced fine amount;
  • a payment plan to pay the citation over time;
  • doing community work service to pay off the fine; and
  • a continuance for dismissal with payment of prosecution costs.
Approximately 85% of people who meet with a Hearing Officer reach an agreement, so they do not have to go to an in-court hearing. If a case does not settle with a Hearing Officer, a person has the right to ask for a court hearing. A person always has this right with misdemeanor offenses, however, if the offense is a petty misdemeanor, this right to a court hearing is waived if the defendant does not appear within 30 days as provided in MN Statutes § 169.91. The Hearing Officer may be able to schedule a court hearing for the case if you are not satisfied with the options that they offer you and the ticket is not delinquent.
 


How to Meet with a Hearing Officer

Hearing Officer hearings are held by video conference using Zoom, available by appointment or as a walk-in at the Hennepin Co. Government Center.

Appointment Times
Most appointments are 20 minutes in length and can be made for a time between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are also evening appointments available on Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Scheduling an Appointment
To schedule a hearing, call the Court Payment Center:
  • Metro (651) 281-3219
  • Outside the metro 1(800) 657-3611
Appointments can also be scheduled by going to a District Court counter in person at the Hennepin Co. Government Center and at the Suburban Court locations. *Free parking is available at our Suburban Court locations.  
IMPORTANT: If you cannot appear for your scheduled appointment be sure to call the Court Payment Center before the date and time of your hearing.

Hearings on Zoom
The video hearing process is very easy! You only need a device with a video camera and microphone, such as a cell phone. Once the hearing date and time are set, you will receive an email the day prior to the hearing. At the time of the hearing, you click on the link in the email, and you'll be connected to a Hearing Officer via the web browser on your device or the Zoom application, if it is installed. You can download the free Zoom application to your phone or computer before the hearing, but it is not required. Having the application installed provides additional functionality. You and the Hearing Officer will be able to see and hear each other. You'll want to have your driver's license with you if possible.

Walk-in Hearings
You may meet with a Hearing Officer as a walk-in on a first come first served basis at the Hearing & Fines Office, located on the Skyway Level of the C-Tower (beyond the weapons screening area) of the Hennepin Co. Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The hearing will be held on Zoom using your own device or one of the tablets available in the Hearing & Fines Office.
 


What to Expect at the Hearing

The Hearing Officer (not a judge) will review the citation(s), defendant’s citation history, court history, driving record and other related information, and will listen to what the defendant has to say about the citation(s). The Hearing Officer will explain the consequences of the violation(s), including fines. NOTE: It is not possible to have a trial with evidence at this meeting because a trial can only take place in court with a judge.

The Hearing Officer will explain the guidelines for settling the citation(s) and will determine what options the defendant may have in their case. The defendant may ask questions about the options, but the Hearing Officer cannot give opinions or advice about the defendant’s decision. A plan is then made for the defendant to meet the terms of the settlement, and when all of the requirements are completed, the citation matter is settled.
 

How to Deal with a Traffic Ticket

Q: I have an appointment to meet with a Hearing Officer but now I cannot make it. What can I do?

If you call the Court Payment Center (Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611) before the date and time of your appointment, you may request a "continuance" to reschedule the appointment. If you miss your scheduled appointment, you must go to our Hennepin Co. Govt. Center location Downtown Minneapolis for a "walk-in" appearance.
 

Q:  What happens if I fail to show up for an appointment with the Hearing Officer?

Due to high demand for Hearing Officer appointments, if you miss your scheduled appointment, you will have to meet with Hearing Officer on a walk-in basis at the Hennepin County Government Center location in downtown Minneapolis. The citation will remain "open" until a hearing is held and action is taken. This could result in the suspension of your driver's license by MN Driver & Vehicle Services or the amount owed being sent to collection if the due date has passed. 
 

Q:  Can I appeal a decision made by a Hearing Officer?

The decision of a Hearing Officer is usually the result of the discussion with the defendant about the citation and the possible options to settle it. If you do not like the decision, you may ask that the citation be set for court, unless you waived your right to a court hearing under MN Statutes § 169.91. That statute says that if you fail to appear for a petty misdemeanor within 30 days, you have waived your right to court and plead guilty to the charge. 
 

Q:  What happens if I fail to respond to a citation?

If you fail to respond to a citation, additional fees will be added and the unpaid citation may result in the suspension of your driver's license by MN Driver & Vehicle Services or the amount owed being sent to collection. You have 30 days to respond to a citation from the date it was entered into court's record system. After 30 days, a $5 fee is added. After an additional 21 days, a "delinquency fee" of $25 is added. If the citation is for a traffic violation, it may result in suspension of your driver’s license. Other unpaid citations are sent to collection. Visit the Late Fees & Collection tab.
NOTE: Failure to pay five (5) or more traffic or parking citations may result in impoundment of your vehicle until the fines are paid.
 

Q:  What happens if I fail to show up for a "court required" hearing?

Failure to appear at a court hearing will result either in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest or if the case is a petty misdemeanor, the hearing may be held in your absence and you may be found guilty and sentenced. This could result in the suspension of your driver's license by MN Driver & Vehicle Services or the amount owed being sent to collection. 
 

Q:  Why are fines so expensive?

The basic fines for offenses in Hennepin County are set by the Hennepin County Judges, in most cases, along with statewide practices. In addition, all citations have surcharges added which are set by the Minnesota Legislature. The surcharge on parking tickets is currently $12. All other citations currently have a $75 surcharge to the state and a $3 Law Library Fee (in Hennepin County). The surcharge is added to the fine for the total amount payable on the citation.
Example: The full fine for stop sign violation is $50 (fine) + $75 (state surcharge) + $3 (Hennepin law library fee) = $128 Total
 

Q:  How much are court fines?

The fines in court are set by the judge. For a petty misdemeanor the fine may be $0 – $300. For a misdemeanor the sentence may be a fine of $50 - $1000 and/or 0 – 90 days in jail. The surcharge of $75 and a Hennepin Law Library Fee of $3 are added to court fines. More information can be found in the Fine Amounts tab.
 

Q:  What if I just want to pay a fine?

You may do so, but understand that paying a fine is a "plea of guilty" and certain offenses are certified to your "driving record" at the MN Dept. of Public Safety. Parking citations are never certified to any driving record. 
 

Q:  I paid a fine but I want the case re-opened. How can I do this?

You must file a Motion to Withdraw a Plea of Guilty with the court. More information can be found in the Withdrawing a Guilty Plea tab on this page.
 

Q:  What if my violation is a misdemeanor?

Most misdemeanor violations are "payable" (not required to go to the Hearing Office or court), but to learn all of your options and the consequences for the violation(s), you should meet with a Hearing Officer or call the Court Payment Center at: Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611.
 

Q:  What happens if I was stopped while driving without insurance?

If you are stopped by a police officer and do not have insurance, you will be ticketed and charged with a misdemeanor (involving a fine plus a surcharge), and your car may be impounded. If you pay a fine or are found guilty of the offense in court, your driver’s license will be revoked for 30-365 days. You may meet a Hearing Officer to discuss your options. 
 

Q:  What happens if I was stopped while driving without a driver’s license?

If you are stopped and you have no driver’s license, or you have a driver’s license which is suspended, revoked or canceled, you will be given a citation which is a "payable" ticket, and your car may be impounded. All of these offenses have adverse affects on your "driving record" at the MN Dept. of Public Safety. You may see a Hearing Officer to discuss your options to settle this kind of citation. 
 

Q:  What if I don’t have the money to pay a fine?

If your citation is in a "current" status, you may call the Court Payment Center to see if you are eligible for a payment plan at: Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611.

You may also meet with a Hearing Officer to find out what other options you have. It is best to see a Hearing Officer as soon as possible because if you wait until the citation is delinquent, your options will be very limited. The Hearing Officer may be able to refer you to do community work service or take a driving class to pay the fine, depending on your case. 
 

Q:  What can I do if my driver’s license is suspended or revoked and I need to drive to work?

If your license is suspended for non-payment of fines, you must settle the fines to get your license back. If it is suspended or revoked for other reasons, contact the Dept. of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services to see if you are eligible for a limited license to drive to work. Please call (651) 296-2025 with driver's license questions. 
 

Q:  What if I find out that I have tickets on a vehicle that I don’t own anymore?

You need to get the vehicle title transferred to the buyer. You should have the buyer file the title documents, if possible. If you cannot find the buyer or the title documents, you will need to contact the Dept. of Public Safety to learn what your options are for transferring title into the buyer's name. You will need the buyer’s name and address and the date of sale. Once the title is transferred, bring a copy of that title filing paperwork to the court and we can remove your name from the citations issued on the vehicle after the transfer date.
Another helpful resource is the Vehicle Transfer Facts published by the MN Dept. of Public Safety.

Look Up Fine(s) for a Citation

The most accurate way to find out your fine amount is to check online or talk to a court clerk. You can look up the fine amount for a citation (ticket) in our Citation Payment System. The total amount owed will include any late fees that apply. 
NOTE: It can take 20 days or more after a citation was issued before it is entered into the court’s system. If you get a message of "No Records Found," please check again in a few days. You can also call the Court Payment Center (Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611) to ask about fines, or click on the chat button above.

 

Common Fines for Hennepin County Citations with One Charge Only 

Parking Violations

Prohibited parking location (MN Statute 169.34 & similar parking Ordinances): $37
Expired meter, snow emergency, street cleaning, etc: $42 (*$45 for offenses in Minneapolis)
 

Speeding Violations (offenses on or after January 21, 2016)

1-10 miles over the limit: $118
11-14 miles over the limit: $128
15-19 miles over the limit: $138
20-25 miles over the limit: $148 (+ $70 speeding surcharge) = $218
26-30 miles over the limit: $178 (+ $100 speeding surcharge) = $278
31 miles and above limit: $228 (+ $150 speeding surcharge) = $378

Other Moving Violations

Careless Driving (no accident): $178
Fail to obey stop sign or traffic control device: $128
Improper or prohibited turn: $128
Fail to yield right of way: $128
Passing parked emergency vehicle (move-over): $128
Fail to yield to pedestrian at a crosswalk: $178
Stop/stand/park on freeway: $118
Wrong way on one-way road: $178
Fail to drive in correct lane: $128
Driving around a barricade: $118
Driving without headlights when required by law: $118

 

Driver's License Violations

No valid driver's license: $178
No license in possession when stopped (may bring license to Violations Bureau): $98
Incorrect name or address on license: $98
No MN motorcycle endorsement: $128
Driving after suspension, revocation or cancellation of license: $278

 

License Plate & Equipment Violations

Expired license plates or tabs: $108
Cracked windshield: $118
Illegal window tint: $128
No seatbelt: $103
No child safety restraint (e.g., car seat): $128

 

Criminal Violations

Possession of small amount of marijuana: $128
Fail to pay fare on public transit (evasion): $178

 

How to Calculate Fine Amounts

If you were charged under a MN Statute, Rule, or Code of Federal Regulation, you can calculate fine amount by using the Statewide Payable Offense List, but please note the following:
 
  • A citation usually includes numbers for MN Statutes and/or city Ordinances. A statute is a statewide law, and a city ordinance is a law that applies to actions in a particular city or municipality. If you were charged by a local city/jurisdictional ordinance, please check online, call the Court Payment Center (Metro (651) 281-3219, Outside the metro 1 (800) 657-3611) to ask about fines, or click on the chat button above.

  • Each citation is charged a $75 criminal/traffic surcharge and a $3 Hennepin County law library fee.
  • Some citations may include number for the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which applies to certain violations involving commercial vehicles.
  • Police Officers often abbreviate the statute or ordinance number. Example: MN Stat. 169.26(2)(a) means that the citation was issued under the MN Statutes, Chapter 169, Section 26, Subdivision 2, Paragraph a, for failure to stop at a railroad crossing. The officer might only write 169.26s2 on the ticket.
  • Make sure the offense described in the statute or ordinance listed on the ticket matches the offense with which you are charged.
  • If you got a ticket for a speeding charge (MN Statute § 169.14) and the speed listed was 20 or more miles per hour over the posted limit, there is an additional surcharge.

IMPORTANT! If you pay a citation, you are entering a plea of "guilty" to the charges. You have 30 days from when the citation (ticket) is entered into the court's record system to either pay the fine or meet with a Hearing Officer. It can take 20 days or longer for a citation to be entered in the court’s system. Check the status of a citation.


Ticket Holder Does Not Respond within 30 Days

When there is no response to a citation, or the fine is not paid within 30 days from the date when the citation (ticket) is entered into the court's record system, a late fee of $5 is added to the fine amount due. The court mails a late notice to the defendant at the address listed on the defendant's driver's license or ID with the options for handling the ticket by the due date.
 

Ticket Holder Does Not Respond within 55 Days

If the defendant fails to pay the fine (plus $5 late fee) within 55 days of the due date, another delinquency (late) fee of $25 is added to the fine amount due.
 

Collections

All unpaid fines and late fees may be sent to a collection agency for collection. This agency uses collections methods such as Minnesota tax refund recapture, notices, phone calls and other typical collection methods. The court may hire a private collection agency or use the services of the MN Department of Revenue (DOR). NOTE: A 20% collection fee is added to cases the are sent to collections.
 

Paying a Fine in Collection

Unpaid court or citation fines that are in collection with the MN Department of Revenue (DOR) must be paid directly to the DOR and cannot be paid at any courthouse or using the District Court online payment system.
  • In Person: You may pay in person at the office of the MN Department of Revenue located at 600 North Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted in person between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday. Credit and debit cards not accepted for in person payments.
  • Online or Phone: Go to DOR Payment Options or call 1-800-657-3666. Payments made on the DOR website may take up to ten (10) days to be remitted to the DOR. NOTE: To make a payment online or by phone, you must have the collection notice that the DOR mailed to you. Do not try to make a payment without that notice because it gives you identifying information required to process the online payment. If you were told that your fine has gone to collections, but you have not yet received your collection notice, please contact the DOR at 1-800-657-3909.
    • Payment With Credit Card: Select the "Credit or Debit Card" payment category on the screen. NOTE: There is an additional fee for using this payment method.
    • Payment With Bank Account: Select the "Bank Account" payment category on the screen. 
  • By Mail: Go to DOR Payment Options and select "Check or Money Order" payment category to use the Payment Voucher system. Payment with a voucher is sent to:
                                    MN Department of Revenue
                                    Collection Division
                                    P.O. Box 64564
                                    St. Paul, MN 55164-0564
 

Questions on Paying a Fine in Collection?

Motions for a Citation

Withdraw a Plea of Guilty to a Citation

If you entered a plea of guilty to a citation by paying a ticket or failing to pay a ticket and you now want to withdraw that plea, you must file a "Motion to Withdraw a Plea of Guilty" with the court. You may print the required forms and instructions using the links below. You may file the motion and receive a court hearing date at any Court Division location. Later, you must appear in court at the hearing date and time to present your case to the court. If you have questions on where to file a motion or which city attorney's office must be served, please call (612) 348-2040 or use the chat feature above.
  Note: If you paid a citation for No Proof of Insurance and you have proof of insurance at the time of the citation, you may be able to have your case reopened by meeting with a Hearing Officer without filing a motion and going to a court hearing before a judge. See: How to meet with a Hearing Officer
 

Request a New Hearing for a Citation

If you requested a hearing on your citation and did not appear for the scheduled hearing, and you now want to request another hearing, you must file a "Motion to Request a New Hearing" with the court. You may print the required forms and instructions using the links below. You may file the motion and receive a court hearing date at any Court Division location. Later, you must appear in court at the hearing date and time to present your case to the court. If you have questions on where to file a motion or which city attorney's office must be served, please call (612) 348-2040 or use the chat feature above.
 

Notice of Review of a Referee's Finding

If your citation was heard by a referee at a hearing and you now want a judge to review the referee's finding, you must file a "Notice of Review of a Referee's Finding" with the court. You may print the required forms and instructions using the links below. You may file the motion and receive a court hearing date at any Court Division location. Later, you must appear in court at the hearing date and time to present your case to the court. If you have questions on where to file a motion or which city attorney's office must be served, please call (612) 348-2040 or use the chat feature above.
 

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