Paying Fines

Paying by Mail

Please do not send cash. Make your check or money order payable to "Minnesota Court Payment Center.” Mail your payment to:
Minnesota Court Payment Center
P.O. Box 898
Willmar, MN 56201

Please include your file number or citation number on your check.
Your payment must be received prior to your scheduled court appearance, which is indicated on the front side of your ticket.

Credit Card Payments Online or By Phone

Pay by Credit card

Paying in Person

Payments can be made at the counter located in the Courts Facility Building. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

When you Need to Appear in Court

You wish to plead not guilty (You want to say you are not guilty)
You wish to plead guilty with an explanation (You want to say you are guilty but want to explain what happened)
You put someone’s life or property in danger (this will be marked on the front of your ticket)
The charge you received requires you to go to court

Paying No Proof of Insurance Violations

If you have received a citation for No Proof of Insurance and the vehicle you were driving was insured on the date and time of offense, you must provide one of the following that shows there was valid coverage on the date of the offense:

A copy of the insurance coverage card for that vehicle
A letter from the insurance agent
Or a copy of the insurance policy

The information received must include the name of the insured and the vehicle type in one of three ways.

The information can be faxed to the Court Payment Center at 320-231-6507. Include a copy of the ticket with your proof of insurance.
Complete the online Proof of Insurance Submission Request Form and follow its instructions
Show one of the proper items identified above to Benton County Courts Facility by the due date

If You Don't Pay or Go To Court

If you don’t pay your fine or show up to court on the date listed on your ticket, the court will treat it as if you admitted guilt for a petty misdemeanor. You will give up your right to a trial, and one or more of the following may happen:

The charge could be added to your driving record
Your driver’s license could be suspended
A warrant could be issued for your arrest
Your unpaid fine could be sent to a collection agency

If your debt goes to a collection agency, they may charge extra fees and can:

Take money from your bank account
Take your property
File a judgment or lien, which can hurt your credit
Take away or deny licenses (personal or business)
Take money the state owes you
Take part of your paycheck or tax refund

Change of Address

It is your responsibility to notify the court of a change of address.