Contesting and Other Options
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.
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
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. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note, the last available hearing appointment is at 4:15 p.m., subject to Hearing Officer's availability. 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 Title Transfer page with the MN Dept. of Public Safety.