All fines are assessed by the Judge after mandatory court appearance and case adjudication.
 
 Anyone wanting to pay a fine, after adjudication, will be able to do so through the court office from 8:00am to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To avoid lines and/or having to mail in a payment, the Court encourages the use an alternative payment method, such as the online payment site of www.municipalonlinepayments.com/Joplinmo, which is available 24 hours a day.  

 Payments can also be placed in the Drop Box, Located at the West side of the Justice Building.  It is not advisable to place cash in the drop box.  If a payment is not allowed through the online service, please contact the court office during business hours.
  
The Joplin Municipal Court is a court of limited jurisdiction and record which, through its judges and staff, adjudicates traffic infractions and misdemeanor offenses that are alleged to have occurred within the Joplin city limits. Judges, pursuant to applicable provisions of City Ordinance, various state laws and court rules, conduct all hearings - there are no jury trials in the Municipal Court.

The main mission of the Court is to promptly and fairly adjudicate all cases filed and to enforce judgments rendered. Ancillary functions include supervising probationers, conducting alcohol and drug evaluations and drug and alcohol education programs, coordinating community service and house arrest activities, provide information to citizens about the municipal judicial process and collect fines and fees.

The Court is under the direction of an Full-time Judge, who presides over court proceedings. The Court is under the direct supervision of the Court Administrator. The support staff positions consist of seven full-time Court Clerks and one part-time Records Clerk.