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Municipal Court

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1. What do I need to know about my citation?

a. Your signature on the citation which you received is not a plea of guilty.

b. You do have the right to appear in court and contest the charge filed against you.

c. You have a right to a trial by either Judge or Jury.

d. Minors under the age of 17 for traffic violations and under the age of 18 for a violation of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian.

e. All convictions for moving violations are reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety Records Division.

f. Unless you make some arrangements prior to the court date shown on your citation or appear on the date, an additional charge may be filed against you and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

g. You may also be denied renewal of your Texas Driver’s License.

2. What is the role of the Municipal Court Staff?

The Municipal Court Staff may explain your rights in municipal court; however, court clerks are NOT attorneys. It is unlawful for them to give legal advice.

3. How can I pay my ticket?

You can pay in person or by mail. The court also accepts cash, personal checks or money orders. You may pay on-line with a credit card at www.officialpayments.com or over the phone with a credit card at 1-800-272-9829, code 6126.

4. If I cannot pay my fine in full, is it possible to pay my citation in installments?

Yes, the court allows you to set up a payment plan for outstanding citations. An additional $25.00 fee is added to the fine amount if it is not paid in full within 30 days. This fee is required by State Law and cannot be waived by the court. You, however, may not be eligible for this option if you previously defaulted on a payment.

5. Why can’t I enter my plea by phone?

The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure only permits pleas to be entered in person or by mail. Contacting the court without entering a plea does NOT institute an appearance.

6. What happens if I miss my court date?

The Judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. In addition, a new case “Failure to Appear” may be issued against you.

7. How long do I have to take care of my ticket?

You have a court date on your ticket and you must have taken care of the citation prior to that date. You may also appear in court on the stipulated date at 3:00 pm.

8. Can I take a driving safety course?

a. You may be eligible to have your charge dismissed for certain motor violations by taking a driving safety course if: you have a Texas Driver’s License, you provide proof of liability insurance and you have not taken a driving safety course for another ticket in the past twelve months, nor are you currently enrolled in such a course.

b. You are ineligible for a driving safety course if: you were driving 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, you committed the offense in a construction zone when workers were present, you have a commercial driver’s license, you passed a school bus loading or unloading children or you left the scene of an accident.