Procedures & Fines

Dismissals

You may be eligible to have your case dismissed due to compliance with the law in certain instances. These include, but are not limited to: 

Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility (No Insurance)

• Proof of financial responsibility (vehicle liability insurance) must be submitted to the court.  The document provided must contain the name of the defendant or the year, make, and model of the vehicle the defendant was driving.  The document must also show that​ the policy was valid at the date and time of the alleged offense.    
• All documents presented to the court as proof of financial responsibility shall be verified by a clerk through the insurance company or agent prior to dismissal, unless otherwise directed by the court.  
• Even if there is a warrant issued, the case may be disposed.

Expired Vehicle Registration

• You may request dismissal if proof of registration is submitted to the court within 7 days from citation date.  
• The registration document must show proof of payment of the late penalty fee to the county tax assessor-collector.
• Proof must identify the same vehicle as listed on the citation.
• Show proof on or before the court appearance date on your citation.
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $20.00 before the case may be processed for dismissal. 

Expired Driver's License

• You may request dismissal if proof of a valid driver's license is submitted to the court within 7 days from citation date.  
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $20.00 before the case may be dismissed. 

Fail to Change Address or Name on Driver's License

• You may request dismissal if the defect is remedied and submitted to the court within 7 days from citation date.  A valid driver's license, temporary license, or receipt issued by the Department of Public Safety that indicates the name and/or address of the defendant has been updated must be submitted to the court.
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $20.00 before the case may be processed for dismissal.

No License Plate or One License Plate

• Show registration that was current on the date/time of violation.
• Both plates must be on the vehicle when you come to court.
• Registration must identify the same vehicle as listed on the citation.
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $10.00 before the case may be processed for dismissal.

Display Altered, Unclean or Obscured License Plates

• Bring pictures of front and back plates on the same vehicle as listed on the citation; or
• Sign an affidavit at court that this violation has been corrected
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $10.00 before the case may be processed for dismissal.

No Drivers License

• Show proof that you had a valid driver license on the date/time of violation as shown on the citation.
• Show proof on or before the court appearance date on your citation.

Defective Equipment

• Provide proof that the defect was corrected (see list below).
• Proof must identify the same vehicle as listed on the citation for the violation list.
• Show proof on or before the court appearance date on your citation.
• This dismissal does NOT apply to commercial vehicles.
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $10.00 before the case may be processed for dismissal.

Expired Boat Registration

• Provide valid boat registration on the same boat as identified in the citation.
• Show proof on or before the court appearance date on your citation.
• The clerk shall collect a fee of $10.00 before the case may be processed for dismissal. 

Some Defective Equipment*:

• Brakes
• Exhaust Emission System
• Head Lamps (lights)
• Headlight Beam Indicator
• License Plate Lamp (lights)
• Mirror Violation
• Muffler
• Obstructed View Through Window(s)
• Parking Brakes
• Parking Lamps (lights)
• Stop Lamps (lights)
• Sunscreening Device (unauthorized)
• Television/Video improperly Located
• Turn Signals
• Windshield Wiper(s)
• Wrong Color Lights

*This list is the most common offenses, and should not be considered comprehensive.

Paying Your Fine

To Pay by mail or by phone requires the following: 
That you are pleading no contest to the charge. If you wish to plead not guilty, you must appear in person before the court to handle your citation(s).  The payment of a fine will result in a conviction that may be reported to a driving record.

 You may not pay by phone or mail if you are: 
Requesting a Driving Safety Course, Deferred Disposition or Time Payment Arrangement*
Seeking a Compliance Dismissal of a violation for which a compliance dismissal is permitted by law*
  * You may come in before your scheduled court date to request a Driving Safety Course, Deferred Disposition, Time Payment Arrangement or for a compliance dismissal.

You must appear for your court date if you are:
  A person age 20 and under charged with an alcohol-related violation
  A person age 17 and under charged with a tobacco-related violation
  A person age 16 or younger charged with any violation
         - Texas law requires that a person age 16 or younger appear with one or both parents in court 
  Contesting a charge (pleading not guilty)

NO WEAPONS ALLOWED IN THE COURTROOM - Texas Penal Code 46.03
​
Fines must be paid on or before the court date in order to avoid an additional charge of "Failure to Appear" and an arrest warrant being issued.

  In Person: 4525 Elementary Drive, Southmayd Texas Mon-Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
  By Mail: P.O. Box 88, Southmayd, TX 76268
  By Phone: 903-868-9420 (We accept Visa and MasterCard)