On August 28, 2013, Municipal Judges in the 575 Municipal Courts throughout the state of Missouri will be required to collect an additional $3 per violator. This surcharge is expected to raise $1.5 million annually to replenish the pension fund for about 150 retired sheriffs and their spouses.

Judge David Smith for the City of Sullivan has already order his Court Administrator not to collect the charge. Frank Vatterott, a part-time Municipal Judge for the City of Overland, is preparing a legal challenge to the surcharge.  Other Judges are worried about where it will stop. They worry that the state will continued to add on more and more charges making tickets more expensive.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has stated at least twice that all courts need to start collecting this fee, including municipal court.