Q. I was given a traffic citation. What are my options?
Pay the Fine.
Prior to, or on, the appearance date shown on your citation, you may pay the fine for the offense with which you are charged. You may contact the court for fine amounts.
- Fines can be paid online at www.certifiedpayments.net by using your credit card. Fines may also be paid by mail in the form of a cashier's check or money order payable to Waller County JP3. Fines are also payable in person at the court with a cashier's check, a money order, or with a credit/debit card.
Enter a plea of "Guilty" or "No Contest." You may enter a plea of "guilty" or "no contest" and waive your right to a trial by jury, either in person or by mail, on or before the appearance date shown on the citation. You must pay the fine assessed on or before the 31st day after receiving notice of the amount of the fine.
Enter a plea of "Not Guilty." You may mail to, or bring to the court a plea of "not guilty." The court should receive your plea of "not guilty" on or before the appearance date shown on the citation. You may also indicate if you waive your right to a jury trial.
Request Driving Safety Course or Motorcycle Operator Training Course Dismissal or Specialized Driving Safety Course for Instruction in the Proper Use of Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems. You may be able to require that your citation be dismissed by successfully completing the appropriate course. You will lose that right if, on or before your appearance date, you do not provide the court with notice of your request to take the course.
Q. What should I do if I missed my court date?
As a courtesy, the Justice Courts will allow you ten (10) days within which to appear and make arrangements for the disposition of your case.
You may choose one of the following options:
Pay the Fine at the Justice Court:
You may pay the amount indicated as the acceptable fine, either in person at the Justice Court during its normal business hours, or by mailing the fine to the Justice of the Peace. Fines may be paid by cashier's check or money order payable to the Justice of the Peace. Fines may be paid by credit card, in person, at the Justice Court. If you pay the fine, no further court appearance is necessary.
The court may also notify the Department of Public Safety to deny the renewal of your driver's license.
Q. What should I do if I can't pay the fine immediately?
If you cannot pay the total amount of the fine and court costs, you may request the court to allow you additional time to pay. If you cannot pay the fine and costs at the time they are assessed, you should be prepared to give the court certain financial information in order to assist the court in making payment arrangements. You will be asked to complete a Payment Plan Request/Application.
You should be aware that the law provides as follows:
If you pay any part of the fine and costs on or after the 31st day after the date of the judgment of conviction, you must pay a time payment fee of $25.00. (Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 103.003)
If the fine and costs are more than 60 days past due, the Court may refer the judgment to a private attorney or vendor for collection services. You will be charged a collection fee equal to 30% of the amount due. (Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 103.0031)
If you fail to pay the fine and costs as directed, the Court may notify the Department of Public Safety to deny the renewal of your driver's license. You will be required to pay an administrative fee of $30.00 prior to the renewal of your license. (Tex. Transp. Code §706.006)
If you fail to pay the fine and costs as directed, the Court may issue a capias pro fine commanding a peace officer to bring you before the Court or place you in jail until you can be brought before the Court to explain why you have failed to pay the fine and costs. You will be required to pay additional fees in connection with the issuance of the warrant and your arrest and release. (Tex. Code of Crim. Proc. Art. 102.011)
Q. Will a conviction for a traffic offense be shown on my driving record?
The Justice of the Peace is required to submit to the Department of Public Safety a record of a conviction or forfeiture of bail of a person charged with violating a law regulating the operation of a vehicle on a highway. The Justice of the Peace is also required to report the fact that the defendant successfully completed a driving safety course or a motorcycle operator training course and the date of completion.
The Justice of the Peace does not notify the Department of Public Safety following the successful completion of probation under a suspension of sentence and deferral of disposition.
Under the Driver Responsibility Program, the driver's license of a person accumulates points as of the date the Department of Public Safety records a conviction. A moving violation of the traffic law is assigned two points and a moving violation that resulted in an accident is assigned 3 points.
No points are assigned for speeding less than 10 percent faster than the posted speed limit, unless the offense was committed in a school crossing zone.
No points are assigned following the successful completion of the terms of probation imposed under a suspension of sentence and deferral of final disposition or for the successful completion of the driving safety course or motorcycle operator training course dismissal procedures.
If you accumulate 6 or more points during the preceding 36 month period, you will be required to pay to the Department of Public Safety, a surcharge of $100.00 for the first 6 points, and $25.00 for each additional point.
Each year the Department of Public Safety will assess a surcharge of $250.00 if, during the preceding 36-month period you have been convicted of "driving while license invalid," "failure to show proof of financial responsibility (no insurance)," or "operating a motor vehicle while the registration is suspended."
Each year the Department of Public Safety will assess a surcharge of $100.00 if, during the preceding 36-month period you have been convicted of "driving without a valid license.
The Driver Responsibility Program applies to an offense committed on or after September 1, 2003.