Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

If you are the defendant, you can hire counsel to represnt you in court, and ask the judge to excuse your appearance at the preliminary hearing. It might not work though. You coudl also ask for achange of venue, but that may be less likely to work. If you are a witness, then you shoudl contact whichever side has asked you to testify, to see what funds there might be to defray your travel costs. If you aren't sure, then call the court and ask to speak to the judge's clerk. Tell them you cannot afford to travel to court, and they may be able to tell you your options.

Good luck