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1. When is the Court Clerk’s office open?

The court clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to noon and from 1 pm to 5 pm.

2. What time will the Judge see me on my ticket?

You can come on Mondays at 1:30 pm or Tuesdays at 8:30 am.

3. Can I just pay my ticket and not come to Court?

Sometimes you can pay money and not appear. The money you pay is called a bond. The court will forfeit your bond to pay the fines and fees. A bond forfeiture is a conviction. You have 90 days from the date of forfeiture to appear and contest your charges.

If you don't know the bond amount or if you have to come to court, call the court clerks.

4. Who do I make a check out to when making a payment?

Make your check out to Belgrade City Court.

5. Where do I mail my payment?

Belgrade City Court
91 E Central
Belgrade, MT 59714

6. How do I find out how much I owe the Court?

If you don’t know your payment amount, call the Court Clerk.

7. What information do I need to put on my check?

Write the name of the person whose account you are making a payment on the memo line. It is helpful to include the ticket or case number.

8. How can I make a payment to the Court?

In person
You may pay by cash, check, or money order at the large city window (across from the court). Card payments can be processed at the city window or telephonically.

By mail
You may mail a check or money order for your payment to the court. Do not mail cash.

Drop Box - For After Hours Payments
Put your check or money order in an envelope, seal it, and write Belgrade City Court on the outside. The drop box is located at the North Entrance to City Hall.

Online
You may make an online payment for certain types of payments. You will be charged a convenience fee to use this service. You will need your date of birth, and your ticket or case number. If you do not know the ticket or case number, please call the court. Visit the CitePayUSA website to make online payments.

9. My case is in collections. Where do I make my payment?

The court uses a collection agency for past due accounts.

Municipal Services Bureau
8325 Tuscany Way Building Number 4
Austin, TX 78754-4734

Toll Free: 800-616-0166

Phone: 512-454-4757

10. How do I find out why my driver’s license is suspended?

If you have a Montana driver's license, call the Department of Motor Vehicles at 406-444-3288. They can tell you all of the reasons why your license is suspended and when you are eligible for reinstatement. If a court suspended your license because of a failure to appear or comply, you must contact the individual court to find out what you need to do to get your license back.

11. When must the court give me a lawyer for my criminal or traffic case?

If you qualify, the judge must give you a lawyer in any case where you might go to jail.

12. How do I ask the judge for a lawyer on my criminal or traffic case?

• Most people ask for a lawyer the first time they see the judge
• When you check-in with the court clerk, ask for the public defender application
• You must complete the public defender application
• Be sure to sign, date, and return it to the court clerk
• If you might go to jail, the judge will give an order giving you a lawyer
• Once you have an order, the public defender must qualify you for their services

13. The judge gave me an order giving me a lawyer, what do I need to do for the public defender to qualify me?

Your lawyer is:

Office of the State Public Defender
Farm Bureau Building
502 S 19th, Suite 211
Bozeman, MT 59715

Phone: 406-582-2450

You must immediately call the public defender:

• Ask to talk to the person who handles the applications
• Ask "Do you have my application?"
• Ask "Do you need anything else from me?"

In 10 days, you must give the public defender:

• A completed application
• The other information they need
• Be ready to give proof of your income, like paycheck stubs, bank statements, and tax returns. Or you can bring a letter from your employer, social security, or the welfare office
• Be ready to give proof of your expenses, like rent, insurance, utility bills, payments due to other courts, or medical bills
• Be ready to talk about other expenses, like gas for your car, food, child-care costs, or child-support

The public defender will review your application:

• If you qualify, they will continue as your lawyer
• If you don't qualify, they will stop being your lawyer
• They will tell you their decision

14. The Public Defender says I don’t qualify, can I ask the Judge to decide?

• Yes. You must complete a Motion to Review Public Defender Denial Form (PDF) and ask for a hearing. File your papers with the court.
• The judge will schedule a hearing.
• At your hearing, you can tell the judge why you can't pay for a lawyer.