The Jefferson County Courthouse is closed to the general public for the time being, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pay your traffic ticket or make other court-related payments.
Under the directives set out by the state Supreme Court, Jefferson County Presiding Judge Darrell Missey issued an executive order on Sept. 22 ordering the County Courthouse, 300 Main St., in Hillsboro to Phase Zero.
That phase, the most restrictive of the courts’ four-part operational plan to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, is invoked after any worker in the Courthouse tests positive for the virus.
Under Phase Zero, most in-person hearings are not held and access to the Courthouse is greatly limited.
If no further positive tests occur in two weeks, the presiding judge has the authority to ease the restrictions under Phase 1 or Phase 2 protocols.
However, Circuit Clerk Mike Reuter said another bailiff tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 1.
“We’re likely to be in Phase Zero for a while,” he said. “It seems to be the bailiffs who are testing positive.”
Reuter said he believed that a court bailiff’s positive test triggered the initial move to Phase Zero on Sept. 22. He said that under the current protocol, emergency hearings, like orders of protection, are still being held, and criminal cases are proceeding, but mostly by Zoom teleconferencing or other virtual methods.
“It’s a good idea to call your attorney to find out what’s going on with your case before coming to Hillsboro,” Reuter said. “You can also go to Casenet (courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.do), find your case and sign up for updates on your case to be emailed to you automatically. As soon as we have any update on your case, we post it electronically.”
For those who have been issued traffic citations or need to settle up other bills with the courts, Reuter said stopping by the Courthouse is not an option under Phase Zero.
“Basically, you won’t be able to enter the Courthouse,” he said. “If you are able to get in, we have an information window on the first floor, but you cannot pay at the window.”
Those who are comfortable paying online may do so through Casenet using a debit card, credit card or electronic check. Traffic violation fines may be paid using a feature called “plead and pay” in which the violator pleads guilty and makes payment, and his or her scheduled court date is automatically canceled. A small processing fee will be charged.
Those who don’t wish to pay online may call the Circuit Clerk’s Office and pay by phone. When calling during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays), the telephone number is 636-797-5060. After hours, call 1-877-222-4668.
Credit and debit card payments are accepted by telephone. For those wishing to pay by check, Reuter suggested having your checkbook handy so you can relay information about your bank and your account.
He said his office’s approximately 50 employees largely are working from home, but there are usually about 10 people in the office to field inquiries.
“We’ve had two positive cases (in the Circuit Clerk’s office), but both of them were working from home and had no contact with anyone at the Courthouse,” he said. “Both are recovered, but they’re continuing to work from home. In addition to the 10 employees in the office, we have 12 court clerks, who are already isolated in their own division offices.”
Reuter urged those who are having difficulty figuring out how to pay their tickets to call his office.
“We will be happy to assist anyone who has questions about court procedures,” he said.