05/19/2016
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of the Harrisonville municipal court, a division of the 17th Judicial Circuit. Auditors examined the court's operations and procedures to detect concerns and recommend improvements. The court received an overall performance rating of "good."
"My team identified a number of areas where the Harrisonville municipal court can make improvements to more effectively serve citizens," Auditor Galloway said. "Court officials have been receptive to our recommendations, and I am encouraged by the steps they've already taken to ensure compliance with court rules and to implement checks and balances to prevent mismanagement."
The audit found the prosecuting attorney allowed court personnel to use his signature stamp on traffic tickets, creating the potential for misuse. Of 60 tickets reviewed, 58 had a stamped signature without any notation that the prosecuting attorney had reviewed the tickets, and two tickets had no signature or documented approval.
Auditors also recommended increased oversight of certain transactions entered into the court's case management system. Based on orders from the judge, personnel entered noncash transactions, such as community service and jail time served, into the system. Auditors recommended periodic independent reviews of case records to ensure no improper transactions were recorded without the judge's approval.
Auditors performed the municipal court audit in conjunction with an audit of the City of Harrisonville, which was requested through a petition of citizens. The city audit is currently in progress. Harrisonville is the county seat of Cass County.
The complete audit report can be found online here.
