PART IV — ELECTRONIC FILING, SERVICE, FEES, PRIVACY, AND DOCUMENT FORM
Rule 32. Fees, payment, waiver, and reimbursement
Court-approved schedule
Only a fee fixed through Appendix D or a later Court-approved and published amendment to that Appendix may be collected for Supreme Court services, except that the Clerk may fix and administer charges for reproduction of appellate records and briefs as 3 R. Stat. § 121.207 provides. Database configuration alone does not establish a lawful amount.
Assessment
The portal assesses fees from the filing code. A filer must select the most accurate available code and must not manipulate the code to avoid a fee. If no exact code exists, use the code directed in Appendix B.
No filing barrier
Unless an active statute expressly provides otherwise:
nonpayment does not prevent tender, filing, docket creation, Clerk acceptance, service, or consideration;
an unpaid fee assessment is a collectible administrative obligation, not a jurisdictional defect; and
the Clerk may not reject a filing solely because the fee is unpaid.
Waiver
The fee owner may request waiver through the portal’s fee-waiver route, stating the basis in no more than 500 characters. The request is treated as an application to proceed without prepayment; no separate motion is required. A Clerk authorized to manage fees must grant waiver when payment would materially obstruct the constitutional right of access to justice or when law provides an exemption.
Review
A waiver denial must state reasons and may be reviewed by motion within two days after service of notice of the denial. The underlying filing remains operative while waiver is decided.
Exempt and government filers
A zero-dollar fee recorded for an exempt role is a valid assessment marked Paid. Role exemption does not excuse misuse of an official account.
Appointed counsel
Filing fees paid in a criminal appeal by the State Public Defender, an assistant public defender, or court-appointed counsel are reimbursable as provided by statute and count toward any statutory compensation maximum.
Void and refund
A fee may be voided or refunded only under the published schedule or a written Clerk or Court decision. Rejection of a case or filing voids a still-unpaid fee assessment when the portal so provides. Payment is in full; no partial-payment status exists.