This act repeals various court costs that are not related to the administration of the court system and recodifies all remaining court costs into one chapter of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The revisor of statutes is directed to recodify all sections of law imposing court costs and fees related to the administration of the court system into one chapter. No clerk shall collect any surcharge authorized by local ordinance or order where such surcharge is to take effect on or after January 1, 1997. The Supreme Court shall, by rule, determine the total amount of court costs to be paid in a particular case. Certain charges that are currently collected shall remain in effect until adjusted by the Court.
Court costs are to be paid prior to the time services are rendered.
The Supreme Court shall establish a schedule of fines for traffic, fish and game, and boating violations. The judges of each Circuit Court may establish and maintain a schedule of fines for municipal violations when such violations are heard in Associate Circuit Courts. A centralized bureau is created by Supreme Court rule to accept the payment of fines and not guilty pleas for state violations. If the person pleads not guilty, the bureau shall inform the Circuit Court of such plea so the court may set a date for trial. A person who receives a notice of violation but fails to dispose of the notice by payment of fine or plea shall be guilty of failure to appear and, if such violation is a driving violation, such person's driver's license may be suspended.