Sunset Hills Municipal Court

Circuit Court of St. Louis County
State of Missouri
Sunset Hills Municipal Division

Judge: Honorable W. Laird Hetlage
Prosecutor: Robert E. Jones
Court Administrator: Carol A. Lay

Sunset Hills Municipal Court adjudicates violations of various local ordinances that include:

• Driving While Intoxicated
• Assaults
• Domestic Violence
• Traffic offenses
• Housing
• Zoning

The Court is prohibited by law from responding to requests for legal advice. You should make all such requests to a licensed attorney.

Please note that e-mails to the Court do not constitute “official” correspondence with the Court and are not a valid means of filing documents with the Court.

Court sessions: Court sessions are held on the 1st 2nd and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM in the City Hall building located at 3939 S. Lindbergh. Doors open at 6:30 PM. 

Appearing in Court

When you arrive at court, you must check-in with the clerk in the front of the courtroom to have your file located for your court appearance. After you have checked in, be seated.

You will be appearing in court to enter a plea of GUILTY or NOT GUILTY to the charge(s) that are pending against you. You may seek the services of an attorney. You may request one continuance in order to hire an attorney.

A plea of “Not Guilty” will result in your case being set on another date for TRIAL. You must appear in court for your trial setting or a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You may bring your witness(es) and any other information that you feel is pertinent to your case.

A plea of “Guilty” is considered an admission of guilt to the charge(s) that are pending against you. You may offer an explanation. The judge may listen to the circumstances surrounding your case. These circumstances may or may not affect the penalty.

If the judge accepts your plea of guilty or finds you guilty after a trial, he may order one or any combination of the following:

• $1 to $1000 Fine and Court Costs to be paid
• Up to 90 days in jail
• Up to 2 years on Probation
• Completion of a program like
• Alternative Community Service
• Defensive Driving School
• Theft Prevention Program
• SATOP – Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program
• ADEPT – Alcohol Drug Education Program
• VIP – Victim Impact Program

Additionally, points may be assessed against your driver’s license for certain traffic violations.

If the Judge imposes a sentence, you will be required to pay any fines and costs at the time of your plea.

If you fail to appear in court it may result in a warrant and operators license suspension to be issued.

Courtroom Dress Code: Appropriate attire is required in the courtroom. Shirts and shoes are required; no tank tops, offensive t-shirts, shorts, or hats are allowed. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off.

Payments are accepted 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM at the court cashiers window, located in the City Hall building.

Cash, Visa, MasterCard, or Money Order – Payable to City of Sunset Hills 

Attorney – Entry of Appearance

Mail your Entry of Appearance and or Request for Discovery to the Court Office along with a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. The Prosecuting Attorney’s recommendation will be mailed if a SASE is provided.

Sunset Hills Municipal Court is also registered with The Municipal Project
www.muniproj.com 


Court Hours of Operations / Useful Numbers / Helpful Links

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Monday thru Friday
(314) 849-3402 – Court Office
(314) 849-8110 – Fax

Department of Motor Vehicles: http://dmv.org/dmv-phone-numbers.php
Department of Motor Vehicle Point System: http://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/point-system.php  
Safety Council of Greater St. Louis: (314) 621-9100
St. Charles County Community Service: (636) 441-9002
Interstate Court Service: (314) 427-0408
Midwest Court Service: (314) 469-5997