Traffic

Caution

  1. Shawnee County District Court is providing the following forms and self-help resources. Please note that these resources are presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.  

    The court cannot provide you with legal advice and you will be held to the same standard as a licensed attorney. 

COVID UPDATE

Please note the following changes to the Shawnee County District Court Traffic Dockets:

  1. Effective April 5, 2021, Tuesday morning Traffic Dockets will resume. Afternoon traffic hearings and trials will be held as scheduled.
  2. Monday DUI Dockets will continue as scheduled.
  3. Please call the court at (785) 251-6310 to reschedule any jail time that was previously postponed.
  4. Please consult the Shawnee County District Court website at shawneecourt.org for further information.


IMMEDIATELY

Contact the Traffic Clerk at (785) 251-6714 and update your name, address, telephone number, and email address. This will allow us to contact you prevent a possible suspension of your driving privileges or the issuance of a warrant for your arrest for missing a court appearance.

Notice to Appear

Be sure to come to court on the day and time stated on your Citation or Notice to Appear.  If you do not appear, a warrant may issue for your arrest.

Failure to Appear

Failure to appear for your hearing may result in the issuance of a warrant for your arrest and is not subject to the suspension of time limitations as set forth in the Supreme Court’s current Administrative Order.

Diversion

If you want to keep your citation/ticket off of your driving record, you may wish to apply for a Diversion with the District Attorney’s Office. Diversion Program information may be found at the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office (DA) website. You must immediately contact the DA’s Office at (785) 251-4354 for specific instructions on how to apply for the Program.

Traffic Youth Court

The Topeka Youth Project in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office (DA) administers the Traffic Youth Court Program.  If you are between the ages of 14 and 17 (or 18 if you are still in high school), are a first time offender, and have been charged with a lower level traffic offense, you may qualify for Traffic Youth Court Program. Find information about this Program here. It is important that you contact the DA at (785) 251-4354 immediately upon receiving your citation/ticket for specific instructions on how to apply for the Program.

Continuance

If you need a continuance you must come to Court and ask the Judge for more time.  The Judge will typically grant ONE continuance. The purpose of the continuance is, by way of example, to give you time to hire an attorney, consult with an appointed attorney, apply for diversion, or clear up matters with the Department of Motor Vehicles such as getting your license back.

When you come back to court after the continuance, you will be required to have talked to the District Attorney’s Office and resolved the matter, set the matter for trial, or plead guilty to the charges and be sentenced (jail time is pronounced and fines and court costs are assessed by the Court). There will be no further continuances.

Legal Representation

If your citation/ticket includes an offense with possible jail time, such as Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Suspended you should consider contacting an attorney. The attorney will know how to arrange a new court appearance. If you believe you cannot afford an attorney, you may complete this Financial Affidavit Form (PDF) and bring it with you on your scheduled court date. If you are unable to print the form a paper copy will be provided when you come to court.

Representing Yourself

If you decide you do not want an attorney, you need to read the Notice of Rights and Waiver of Right to Counsel Form and bring it to Court with you.  The Judge will review the Waiver of Rights with you and you will need to sign the Waiver and give it to the Judge. If you are unable to print the form a paper copy will be provided when you come to court.

If you decide to enter a plea and not go to trial you will need to read the Notice of Rights and Waiver of Trial Form (PDF). When you come to Court, you will need to bring the form. The Judge will review the Waiver of Trial with you and you will need to sign the Waiver and give it to the Judge. If you are unable to print the form a paper copy will be provided when you come to court.

Spanish Counsel Waiver Traffic (PDF)
Spanish Trial Waiver (PDF)

Language Accommodations

If you need special help due to language or hearing issues, to make sure an interpreter will be at your hearing, you must call or have someone call the Clerk’s Office for you at (785) 251-6714. You will need to provide the Clerk with your name, case number, and whether you need a spoken language interpreter or sign language interpreter. 

Paying Fines and Court Costs

The Judge will give you a set amount of time to pay your fines and court costs.  To pay fines and court costs, you may:

  1. come to the Clerk’s Office at the courthouse, Room 209;
  2. pay online not available right now. 
  3. send a check or money order addressed as follows:

Clerk of the District Court
Attention Traffic Clerk
200 East 7th Street, Suite 209
Topeka, Kansas 6660

You must pay within that time frame set by the Judge or write a letter to the Judge stating why you need more time to pay.  Address the letter as follows:

Traffic Judge
200 East 7th Street, Suite 209
Topeka, Kansas 66603