Here is a list of frequently asked questions by the public. If you were unable to find the answer you were looking for, please contact Wichita Municipal Court.
| What if I need an attorney, but can't afford one? |
If you feel you need an attorney to represent you, and if you are indigent, you may qualify for a City Public Defender. To request a Public Defender, appear at your scheduled court hearing and ask the judge for a City Public Defender. You will be given another court date to return to court along with information on contacting the City Public Defender.
| I was found guilty in court and don't agree with the judge's decision. |
If you do not agree with the judge's ruling, you have the right to appeal your case. Municipal Court cases are appealed to the District Court of the Eighteenth Judicial District. The case will be tried again before a District Court Judge and, upon request, before a jury. Immediately upon conviction, you should advise the Municipal Court Judge of your intent to appeal. An appeal bond will be noted on your paperwork.
If you intend to appeal, do not pay the fines and costs assessed. You will be given 10 days to appeal. If you decide not to appeal your case, you must pay the fine and costs within the 10 days.
You must file the appeal within ten (10) days of the Municipal Court conviction. Saturdays and Sundays are included unless the 10th day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a Holiday. Take the blue copy you were given in Municipal Court to the Court Clerk's Office, Room 714, Sedgwick County Courthouse, 525 N. Main. There is a filing fee of $62.50 which must be paid to the District Court and a $10.00 appeal fee will be added to your Municipal Court case. If the case is dismissed in District Court, you will not be required to pay the Municipal Court fine and costs, or the $10.00 appeal fee.
| When is my next court date? |
If you have your court docket number, you can find your court date online. If you do not have a docket number, you can contact the Court Clerk's Office at (316) 268-4611. Please be patient, we receive hundreds of calls each day.
You can find out the amount of your citation through the online fine schedules. If you cannot determine the amount due from these, you can contact the Court Clerk's Office at (316) 268-4611. Please be patient, we receive hundreds of calls each day.
| How much do I owe on my court case? |
To find out the amount due on a court case you can contact the Court Clerk's Office at (316) 268-4611. Please be patient, we receive hundreds of calls each day.
| How do I apply for diversion? |
Information on Diversion Programs is available online.
| What is the phone number to District Court? |
Information on District Court and Other Courts, as well as tag and driver's license information is available online.
| Why is my license suspended? |
To find out why your license is suspended, you should contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in Topeka. The number is (785) 296-3963 and (785) 296-3601 (TTY only). Be sure to make note of the location/court and case numbers they give you.
| Can I get more time to pay on my citation or court fine? |
The only person who can extend time to pay on a court fine is a municipal court judge. To request additional time to pay on a court case you must appear on the Court's Walk-In docket.
You may be eligible for a one-time, 30-day extension of time to pay on a traffic citation. Contact the Court Clerk's Office at (316) 268-4611. Please be patient, we receive hundreds of calls each day. If granted an extension on your citation, an additional fee will be added to the amount due.
| Can I change my court date? |
The only person who can grant a change of court date is a municipal court judge, however, court dates will not be changed within 48 hours of the scheduled appearance. To request a court date change you must appear on the Court's Walk-In docket.
| How do I keep a moving violation off of my driving record? How do I get a charge amended? |
Charges can only be amended by the City Prosecutor. The Prosecutor's Office has various diversion programs and amendment options. For questions regarding amendments, diversions, or keeping charges off of your driving record, please contact them at 268-4569.
| Will this ticket be reported to my insurance? How many points is it? |
Kansas does not go by the "point system" in regard to your driving record. Your license will be subject to administrative suspension if you receive 3 moving violations within a year. Whether a violation is a moving infraction which is reported to insurance companies is determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles in Topeka.
If you have questions regarding the status of your driver's license or what charges are considered moving violations, you should contact the DMV at (785) 296-3963 and (785) 296-3601 (TTY only).
| How do I find out why someone is in jail, and what it will take to get them out? |
If the individual is being held in the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility, you can contact the booking desk at (316) 383-7205. Personnel can advise you of the hold and how to get the person released. Please make note of any case numbers and locations you are given as this will usually quicken the release process.
If the individual is being held elsewhere, you will need to contact the facility in which they are housed to determine the steps necessary for their release.
| I received a subpoena to appear in court and cannot attend. What do I do? I received a subpoena to appear in court and do not know what this case is for. |
A subpoena is a court order requiring your appearance at the stated date and time. If you need more information about the case or if you cannot appear, you must contact the City Prosecutor at (316) 268-4569.
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