Municipal Court Payment Options

So, you got a ticket... Your options (Effective January 1, 2008)

You can simply pay the fine:

• Must contact the court  on or before the ticket due date (appearance date) listed on the ticket
• The maximum fine for all municipal court traffic violations is $200
• For Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure violations the maximum fine is  $500
• For City Ordinance violations, the fine range is up to $2000.

Pay your fine online

In addition to a fine, court costs mandated by state law will be charged. The costs are different depending on the offense. You will need to contact the court for your fine amount.

If you wish to pay your fine but do not have all the money by the due date of your ticket, you have three options:

• A 30-day extension may be given to you to pay in full.
• If you cannot pay the full amount in 30 days, you may request a payment plan.
• The court may allow you up to six months to pay your fines (depending on the amount owed).
• You will be required to fill out a payment form.
• The state requires the court charge an additional $25.00 fee (per violation) to set up time payments.
• If you cannot meet the standard time payment schedule, you may request a hearing before the judge.

Please note: These options are available if you appear before the court on or before the due date of your ticket. Once a ticket has gone to a warrant these options may not apply.

A conviction of an offense under a traffic law of this state or political subdivision of this state  may result in the assessment on your driver's license of a surcharge under the Driver Responsibility Program.

  

Dismissals for Expired Offenses

Tickets for Expired Driver’s License and Expired Registration are eligible for DISMISSAL if you meet the following requirements:

• The violation must be corrected WITHIN 20 BUSINESS days from the day the ticket was issued.
• You must present written proof of renewal (receipt) and pay a $20.00 administrative fee within the 20 BUSINESS days.

Tickets for Expired Inspection (MVI) may be DISMISSED or have the fine reduced if you meet the following requirements:

• If the vehicle inspection was expired more than 60 days your citation cannot be dismissed. However if you present written proof (receipt) of correction within 20 business days , from the date of the ticket, the fine will be reduced to $15.00 plus $97.00 court costs, for a total of $112.00.
• If your vehicle inspection was expired LESS than 60 days, and you provide written proof of renewal (receipt) and pay a $20.00 administrative fee within 20 BUSINESS days it may be dismissed.

Defective Equipment

If you receive a citation for Defective or Altered equipment

• You may contact the court and the procedure to have your fine dismissed or reduced will be explained to you.

Tickets for No Proof of Financial Responsibility and No Driver’s License

The Court will dismiss these tickets if...

• You had a valid Texas Driver's License at the time of the violation and bring it to the court. A $10.00 dismissal fee is required to be paid at the time of the dismissal.
• You had valid proof of Financial Responsibility at the time of the violation and you present that proof to the court by the due date of the ticket. If the court accepts the written proof, there is no fee required.

COURT  ACCEPTS CASH, MONEY ORDERS,  CASHIERS CHECKS, VISA AND MASTERCARD
(NO PERSONAL  CHECKS) DO NOT MAIL CASH. 

Sign up for defensive driving  (if moving violation only)

• Must request on or before the ticket due date (appearance date) on the citation
• If you were operating a motorcycle, you must take a motorcycle operator’s training course
• If you were charged with transporting a child not in a safety belt or child passenger safety seat system, you must take a driving safety course that has four hours of instruction about seat belts and child passenger safety seat systems.

At the time of the request, you must do the following:

1. Present proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance);
2. Plead guilty or nolo contendere  plea information
3. Pay court costs and an administrative fee.  Currently, these fees are: $107.00 for moving violations (other than school zone), $132.00 for school zone violations

You have 90 days to complete the course and  return the certificate and your driving record to the court.

• Driving safety course that has been approved by the Texas Education Agency
• Motorcycle operator’s course approved by the Department of Public Safety.

You are eligible to request this course if you:

1. Have not taken a driving safety course or motorcycle operator course for a traffic offense within the last 12 months;
2. Are not currently taking the course for another traffic violation;
3. If you do not have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL); and
4. Have not committed one of the following offenses: (a) Failure to Give Information at Accident Scene; (b) Leaving Scene of Accident; (c) Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer; (d) Reckless Driving; (e) Passing a School Bus;  (f)  A serious traffic violation, which applies to commercial motor vehicle operators;  (g) An offense in a construction maintenance zone when workers are present. (h) Speeding 25 mph or more over limit

To show the court that you are eligible, you must: 

1. Present a certified copy of your driving record from the Department of Public Safety that shows that you have not had a driving safety course within the preceding 12 months; and

The court will send you a notice at the last known address for a Show Cause Hearing and you can explain to the judge why you failed to show proof of completion. If you have a good reason why you were unable to present your proof within the time required, the judge may, but is not required, to grant you an extension. Your failure to be present at that hearing will result in a warrant for your arrest being issued. An additional charge may also be filed.