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Citation Options
Options
Please review the following options. State law requires you to make an appearance on your case. Your appearance date is 20 business days from when you received the citation, or it is marked on the bond or summons paperwork. Appearances must be made in person or in writing. If appearing in-person violations can be taken care of at the court window Monday-Friday 8:00AM- 5:00PM.
Driver Safety Course (DSC)
The Driver Safety Course (DSC) option may be available to you if your citation falls under certain subtitle/sections of the Transportation Code: the Rules of the Road (Subtitle C, Title 7); Obey Warning Signs (Section 472.22) and Operation Motor Vehicle by Minor (Section 729.001 (a)(3) and meet certain eligibility requirements. The Driver Safety Course can ONLY be taken once every 12 months with any court in the State of Texas.
The request must be made prior to your appearance date. Once the court has approved your request, you will be given 90 days to take the Driver Safety Course and turn in a signed certificate and driving record to the court. **This option is recorded on your Driving Record once the paperwork has been submitted to the court.
Complete list of eligibility requirements
Deferred Disposition (Probation)
The Deferred Disposition may be available for a variety of charges/violations. Generally, Probationary period is for 90 to 180 days. Additional conditions may apply depending on the type of the violation received. If you successfully complete the required conditions the case is dismissed and no final conviction will be reported.
Requesting Deferred Disposition
Payment in Full
If you wish to pay for the violation in full, you must enter a no contest or guilty plea and waive your right to a jury trial. To pay the for the violation in full this typically can be done in person, by mail or online. NO PHONE PAYMENTS. **Be aware that payment of fine could result in a conviction appearing on either a criminal record or a driver’s license record.
Additional information for paying online
Extension (30 Days)
To request an extension you must enter your plea of no contest or guilty and waive your right to a jury trial. A request must be submitted to the court either in person or by mail. If any portion of the fee/fine is paid on or after the 31st day, you will be assessed an additional fee as required by Section 133.103 L.G. **Be aware that payment of fine could result in a conviction appearing on either a criminal record or a driver’s license record.
If appearing In-Person, the clerk will provide the form to you.
If appearing by mail, print the Pay Extension/ 30 Day Extension Request Form
Submit Electronically the Pay Extension/30 Day Extension Request Form. Only ONE extension request can be granted per violation. If you are needing more time to pay, please read below for payment plan request.
Payment Plan
This option is available if you need to make monthly installment payments. A request must be filled out entering your plea of no contest/guilty for each violation entered into a payment plan agreement. Typically, $100.00 down would be required to start a payment plan. The next payment would be due 30 days from the initial starting date. A $15.00 fee is added to each violation that is placed on a payment plan. **Be aware that payment of fine could result in a conviction appearing on either a criminal record or a driver’s license record.
If appearing In-Person, the clerk will provide the form to you.
If appearing by mail, print the Payment Plan Request Form.
**If you have cases in warrant status, please call the court office to see if you are eligible for a payment plan.
Trial
The law requires you to make an appearance on your case. Your appearance date is noted on your citation, bond, summons or release papers. You or your attorney may appear in person in open court, by mail, or you may deliver your plea in person to the court. (Juveniles have separate rules for appearance).
You have a right to a trial by jury. You may waive a jury trial and have a trial before the Judge. A plea of not guilty means you deny the charge. If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule a trial date. If you choose to have the case tried by a jury, the court will schedule a pre-trial hearing prior to your case being set for a jury trial.
You may be able to have your case dismissed by taking a Driving Safety Course (DSC) or Deferred Disposition (Probation). You should also note that requests for DSC or Deferred Disposition must be made prior to trial and will not be granted after a finding of guilt at trial. For additional information on Driving Safety Course and Deferred Disposition, please refer to that section on the court website.
To plea not guilty and request a trial without using an attorney, you must submit a request in-person OR by mail. Prior to your trial, you will be set for a pre-trial hearing before the Prosecutor to discuss the case(s).
If appearing In-Person, the clerk will provide you a court date based on availability.
If appearing by mail you have 2 ways to make your request for a trial:
If you have your citation/ticket fill out the plea form section and mail to the court
OR
Print and fill out the plea form and mail to the court - Plea Request Form.