Court to Review How Much Cities Can Make From Tickets

The Missouri Supreme Court is reviewing the constitutionality of a 2015 state law limiting how much revenue cities can keep from traffic tickets and fines. Under the law, revenue caps for violations would be 12.5-percent in St. Louis County and 20-percent in all other Missouri cities. During a court hearing Wednesday, David Pittinsky, an attorney for the city of Normandy, says the percentage allowed for St. Louis County municipalities is not rational.

Missouri Solicitor General John Sauer says St. Louis County is uniquely entrenched in these practices and they are especially targeting the poor and minority populations. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt led the effort to pass the state law while he served in the Senate, arguing that some municipalities treated citizens like ATMs for bloated government.