Trials

You have the right to ask for a trial and make the County prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Your trial will be heard and ruled on by the Judge. If you would like for your case to be decided by a jury, the clerk can provide you with the proper form. After submitting this form and paying a $30 filing fee (certified check or money order payable to the St. Charles County Circuit Clerk), the case will be transferred to a Judge in the St. Charles County Circuit Court at the following address:
300 N. Second St.
St. Charles, MO 63301

The Circuit Clerk’s office will thereafter inform you of your next court date.

Your Rights & Expectations

  • You have the right to inspect the complaint before trial and have it read to you at trial.
  • Trials are conducted under the rules set forth in the Missouri Revised Statutes and Rules of Evidence.
  • You are entitled to hear all testimony introduced against you.
  • You have the right to cross-examine any witness who testifies against you.
  • You have the right to testify in your own behalf. You also have a constitutional right not to testify. If you choose not to testify, your refusal cannot and will not be used against you in determining your guilt or innocence. However, if you do choose to testify, the prosecutor will have the right to cross-examine you.
  • You may call witnesses to testify in your behalf.
  • You also have the right to subpoena your own witnesses. The clerk can provide you with the forms needed to do so.

Presenting the Case

  1. As in all criminal trials, the county prosecutor will present its case first by calling witnesses to testify against you. You should not interrupt the prosecutor during his questioning unless you have an objection or a question for the Judge.
  2. After each prosecution witness has finished testifying, you will have the right to cross-examine him or her. Your examination must be in the form of a question. This is not a time to make a statement, and you must not argue with the witness. You will have an opportunity to make a statement later in the trial.
  3. After the prosecution has presented its case, you may present your case. You may testify in your own behalf, but you cannot be compelled to do so. You may also present witnesses of your own or other evidence, but you cannot be compelled to do so.

The Verdict

The Judge will base his/her decision on the County ordinance(s) governing the case and the facts as determined by the testimony and other evidence presented. In making his/her determination, he/she will only consider the testimony of the witnesses who are under oath.

Right to Appeal
If you are not satisfied with the judgment (verdict) of the court, you have the right to appeal the verdict to the St. Charles County Circuit Court. If you do appeal, you must post $30 (certified check or money order payable to the St. Charles County Circuit Clerk) to cover court costs with the Court Clerk who will forward the money and the case files to the Circuit Court at the following address:
300 N. Second St.
St. Charles, MO 63301

You will be notified of a new court date by the Circuit Clerk’s office, and your case will be heard again by a different Judge. You must file this appeal within 10 days of the judgment. If the judgment is not appealed within 10 days, it becomes final and you are subject to any penalties imposed by the Judge.