BASIC COURT INFORMATION

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 17 OR IF YOU HAVE A MINOR IN POSSESSION CHARGE, YOU AND A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGE.  CONTACT THE COURT FOR A DATE.

Each citation issued gives an initial appearance date. This is NOT a court date. It is very important that the defendant take action on or before the appearance date shown on the citation. Failure to appear may result in the filing of additional criminal charges, the issuance of an arrest warrant, a hold on your driver’s license renewal, the imposition of additional fines and costs, and your case turned over to a collection agency.

Pleas

Plea of Guilty:  You admit the act is prohibited by law and you committed the charge filed against you.

Plea of Nolo Contendere (No Contest):  You do not contest the State’s charge filed against you.

Plea of Not Guilty:  You deny guilt and require the State to prove the charge filed against you. 

In lieu of appearing on or before your initial appearance date, you can make a plea of Guilty or No Contest and pay your fine in full by mail, online, or use our drop box. You can appear in person to request an extension to pay the fine.

Payment of a fine or an amount accepted by the court (by mail or in person) constitutes a finding of guilty in open court as though a plea of “nolo contendere” had been entered by the defendant.  Article 27.14© of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

A plea of not guilty will result in the case being set for a court appearance.