Municipal Court

Overview

Responsibilities

The Municipal Court is the judicial branch of City government. The Wolfe City Municipal Court is responsible for processing all citations issued by the Wolfe City Police Department involving Class C Misdemeanor violations, State statute violations, and City Ordinance violations occurring within the City. The Municipal Court Judge hears cases that come before the court and renders a verdict and/or fine. Fines assessed by the Judge cannot exceed $2,000 or involve a prison sentence.

Other Information

• A phone call does not constitute an appearance
• No personal checks accepted
• Please wait at least 48 hours after receiving your citation to contact the court
• A conviction of an offense under a traffic law of this state or a political subdivision of this state may result in the assessment on your driver’s license of a surcharge under the driver responsibility program

Answering the Citation

Court Appearance Date
Review the copy of your citation. The court appearance date is located on the citation, just above where you signed your citation. Wait at least 48 hours after receiving your citation before you contact the court. By doing so, there is greater chance that the citation will already be entered into the computer. Appear before the court on or before the date on the citation. Telephone calls do not constitute an appearance. Persons under the age of 17 must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian.

Failing to Make Your Appearance
If you fail to make your appearance, an additional offense of Violate Promise to Appear or Fail to Appear will be added. In addition, a warrant will be issued for your arrest if an appearance is not made within 10 days of the initial appearance date.

Entering a Plea

Pleas
You may enter a plea of no contest or guilty to waive your right to a trial and take care of the citation, or you can enter a plea of not guilty and request a trial.

Plea Options
Only the person whose name appears on the citation (other than a licensed attorney) can enter a plea for an offense.

Plea options are as follows:

• Not Guilty – When you enter this plea, you are stating to the court that you believe you are innocent of the charge and would like to be placed on a trial docket. A jury trial will be scheduled unless you waive your right to a jury trial and request a bench trial (a trial before a judge).
• Guilty – When you enter this plea, you are stating to the court that you are guilty of the offense as charged, and you are waiving your right to a jury trial. You will be required to pay the fine and court costs.
• Nolo Contendre (No Contest) – When you enter this plea, it means that you do not wish to contest the citation, but you are not admitting guilt. You are waiving your right to a jury trial and will be required to pay the fine and court costs.

Moving Violation
If you received a moving violation and would like to keep the offense off of your driving record, you may request to take a driver’s safety course or request deferred disposition.

Defensive Driving

Requirements

In order to be approved for defensive driving, you need to provide the court with:

• A valid Texas driver’s license (if you are active U.S. military with an out of state driver’s license, contact the court to determine eligibility)
• Insurance with your name as a listed driver
• $144

If you were cited for speeding in a school zone, you will need to provide the court with:

• A valid Texas driver’s license
• Insurance with your name as a listed driver
• $169

Driver’s Safety Course

You do not qualify to take a driver’s safety course if you:

• Have taken a driver’s safety course in the last 12 months or are currently taking it for another offense / court
• Hold a commercial driver’s license
• Were cited for speeding and exceeded the speed limit by 25 or more miles per hour
• Were cited for passing a school bus while it was loading or unloading
• Were cited in a work zone while workers were present

You must make your request to take a driver’s safety course by your first appearance date.

Deferred Disposition

Successful completion of deferred disposition will keep the citation off of your driving record. The deferral period (probation) is from a minimum of 90 days to a maximum of 180 days, and may include other restrictions or requirements.

You do not qualify for deferred disposition if you:

• Have a commercial driver’s license
• Have been granted deferred disposition in the last 12 months
• Were cited for a speeding offense that is 25 miles per hour or more than the posted speed limit.
• Were cited in a construction zone when workers were present

Deferred Disposition must be approved by the Judge. You need to appear at the City of Wolfe City Municipal Court by the appearance date on the citation to make arrangements to see the Judge.

Driving Safety Course Forms