This information is designed to provide you with a general understanding about Court proceedings. It is not a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney. If you have questions about your best course of action, what plea you should enter, your rights, or the consequence of a conviction of the offense for which you are charged you should contact an attorney. Neither the Clerk, Judge nor Prosecutor can give you legal advice.

Court Appearances

Juvenile Defendants will be placed on the docket for Open Court and will meet in person with the Municipal Judge for an informal, preliminary session. A parent or legal guardian MUST attend with the Juvenile Defendant. If you have not received notification of your preliminary session date with the Judge, contact the Municipal Court by the date that is listed on your Citation.

Deferred Disposition

The Judge may, in its sole discretion, defer disposition on most cases. Cost must be paid, and the Court may impose a special expense fee not to exceed the fine amount. If you complete the required terms the case is dismissed at the end of a period not to exceed 180 days.

Discharge by Community Service

If you are unable to pay your fine and costs, you may be eligible to discharge your obligation by performing community service. This must be granted by the court. You will receive $50 credit for each 8 hours worked.

Judge’s Ability to Dismiss

The Municipal Judge is responsible for conducting a fair, impartial and public trial. The case against you is brought by the State of Texas through the prosecutor, not the Court. Therefore, the Judge may not dismiss a case without the prosecutor having the right to try the case. The exceptions to this rule include Driver’s Safety Courses, Deferred Disposition, and certain Compliance Dismissals.

Trial Procedures

If you have a jury trial or bench trial the case proceeds the same as if you were an adult. See Adult Procedures for more information.

Continuing Obligation to Appear and Notify Court of Address Change

You, and your parents or guardians, have a duty to continue appearing in court even after you reach 17. If you fail to appear in your case after your 17th birthday after notification by this court, you can be charged with an additional offense and arrested. You, and your parents or guardians, also have an obligation to inform the court each time you change addresses. You must notify the court within 10 days of each change of address.

This obligation continues until your case is fully resolved and all fines and costs are paid or discharged. Failure to make a proper notification may cause you, and your parents or guardians, to be charged with a criminal violation and arrested. See Article 45.057 (h) &(i), Code of Criminal Procedure for the complete legal text concerning your duty to appear and provide the Court with an updated address.

Mandatory Alcohol and Tobacco Courses and Community Service

If you are found guilty of, or placed on deferred for, an alcohol offense the Court must order you to complete an alcohol awareness course. The court must also order that you complete a period of community service.

If you are found guilty of, or placed on deferred for, a tobacco offense the Court must order you to complete a tobacco awareness course.

Contempt

If you fail to pay our fine and costs, or violate other orders in the Court’s judgment, the court may hold you in "Contempt of Court". If you are held in contempt the Court may:

1. Refer your case to the County Juvenile Court as delinquent conduct; OR
2. Retain jurisdiction and assess a fine up to $500 and/or a Driver’s License suspension.

Driver's License Suspension

Your license to drive may be lost if you fail to discharge your obligations in this court. Your license can be suspended for:

1. Failing to appear in court for your citation;
2. Failing to pay or discharge your fine and costs;
3. Failing to take and present proof of taking an alcohol or tobacco awareness course;
4. Being held in contempt for violating the court’s judgment.

A period of Driver’s License suspension is also mandatory on conviction of DUI and other minor alcohol violation like Minor in Possession.

Expunction Rights

Convictions from this Court are criminal convictions. The records of this Court, including all records in your case, are records accessible to the public. You may be entitled to an expunction of the records in your case.

• If you complete a deferred disposition in your case you may file a petition in District Court for Expunction.
• For a single alcohol conviction you may petition this court for an expunction after your 21 st birthday.
• For Tobacco offenses you may petition this court for expunction after your 18th birthday.
• For a single Failure to Attend violation you may petition this court for an expunction after your 18th birthday.
• For single conviction of any other nontraffic violation you may petition this court for expunction after your 17th birthday.

Ask the court for proper forms for application for expunction. If you have questions concerning the right to, need for, or consequences of expunction please consult with a licensed attorney.