Location Map

Failure to appear in court, as provided by law, for the presentation of the offense, may result in denial of driver's license renewal and a warrant of arrest will be issued.

Persons who have missed court may contact Katherine Gillette, Court Clerk, 713-465-5646.

Court Appearances

Arraignments and Trials begin promptly at the time indicated on the citation.  The Presiding Judge will address the court and give instructions.  Please be sure to turn off all beepers and telephones before entering the courtroom.  Handguns are not allowed in the building that houses the courtroom.

Persons who have been charged, may enter their plea on the charge in one of three ways:

• Guilty. Pay fine and costs.
• Not Guilty. You are requesting a trial. You must see the prosecutor before leaving the building to get a trial date and time.
• No Contendre. (no contest). You have opted to not contest the charge and the punishment is at the discretion of the court.

Persons charged with the following:

• Expired Inspection, Registration, Drivers License
  
• Fail to Display Drivers License
• Fail to Report Address Change or Name
• Operate Vehicle with Defective Equipment (does not apply to Commercial Motor Vehicle)
• Operate Vehicle without License Plates or with One Plate
• Display Altered, Unclean, or Obscured License Plate
• Violate Driver's License Restriction or Endorsement (Must correct before coming to court)

These charges can be dismissed before court appearance with the court clerk or with the Judge providing that they are done so within "20 working days after the date of the offense or before the defendant's first court appearance, whichever is later. There is a dismissal fee of not less than $10 nor greater than $20, based on the Transportation Code Statue dealing with that specific charge. This fee must be paid immediately to the clerk at the time of dismissal.

If you have been charged with failure to provide proof of financial responsibility and you did have insurance or it's equivalent on the day you received the citation, show the proof to the court.  If it is correct, that case will be dismissed.  There is no administrative fee for financial responsibility.

Bring money to court with you.  Payment of fines are expected on the court date.

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Driving Safety Courses

You may be able to request that a moving violation be dismissed by taking a driving safety course.  In order to be eligible for the driving safety course, you must:  

• Have a valid Texas operator's license.
• Have liability insurance or other proof of financial responsibility.
• You may not have had a driving safety course taken for ticket dismissal within one year of your court appearance or be presently authorized to take a driving safety course by another court.
• If you are charged with speeding 25 miles or more over the posted limit, you are not eligible for a driving safety course.  
• If you have a commercial driver's license, you are not eligible for a "DSC."  
• If you are charged with a moving violation in a construction zone and workers are present, you are not eligible for DSC or Deferred Disposition.

However, you will lose the right to take a driving safety course if you do not provide notice to the court in writing on or before the appearance date shown on the citation.  The combined court costs and administrative fee of $107.00, driver's license for identification and evidence of financial responsibility shall be submitted along with a signed request to take a driving safety course in order to obtain permission of the court.  Once the request has been received and accepted, you will have 90 days in order to complete the course and turn in all necessary paperwork.  Further instructions are given at the time the request is made.

Failure to appear in court, as provided by law, for the presentation of the offense, may result in denial of driver's license renewal and a warrant of arrest will be issued.

Persons who have missed court may contact Frank Perez, Court Clerk, 713-465-5646.