Sweeping changes to Ferguson Municipal Court

FERGUSON -- A Ferguson judge has announced huge changes to the Ferguson Municipal Court.

Judge Donald McCullin, appointed in June 2015, will withdraw all arrest warrants issued before Dec. 31, 2014 and an order changing the conditions for Pre-Trial Release. Defendants will be given new court dates along with alternative dispositions, such as payment plans, community service and/or commuting fines for indigent persons.

"These changes should continue the process of restoring confidence in the Court, alleviating fears of the consequences of appearing in Court, and giving many residents a fresh start," said McCullin. "Many individuals whose license has been suspended will be able to obtain them and take advantage of the benefits of being able to drive. Moreover, defendants will not be disadvantaged in being afforded pre-trial release because of the inability to make bond."

If a defendant continually fails to appear on their scheduled court date, an arrest warrant may be issued and/or a request made to the Director of Revenue to seek a setoff of the defendant's tax return. If an arrest warrant is issued for a minor traffic violation, the defendant will not be incarcerated, but instead released on their own recognizance and given another court date.

Addressing criticism that those who don't follow city ordinances will not face consequences, Judge McCullin explained:

"It doesn't give them a free pass. One, we're removing active warrants, we're not removing cases. They'll still have to answer. We'll be sending out summons to those whose warrants have been withdrawn."

All active warrants more than five years old will be quashed with prosecutors approval. In addition, for cases in which the Director of Revenue has suspended a defendant's driver's license solely for failure to appear in court or failure to pay a fine, the license will be reinstated pending final disposition.

"The Ferguson City Council was informed of the proposed actions by Judge McCullin and applauds the recall of the arrest warrants and the rescission of the driver's license suspensions in compliance with Senate Bill 5 and as a way to restore confidence in the Municipal Court," said City of Ferguson Mayor James Knowles.

In addition to changing the system, they will also be changing the address. Court will no longer be held at the city administration building on Church Street in Ferguson. Citizens will now visit court at the complex where the Ferguson Police Department is located on South Florissant.

"There was one school of thought that, when an individual walks up to the police department they might also have the fear they'd be arrested," Judge McCullin said. "But we want to assure them that they will not be arrested, all they're going to do is appear."