Pleas
After you are issued a traffic citation, you must enter a plea by the appearance date located at the bottom of your citation. You have three options you may enter a plea of:
- Nolo Contendere (No Contest)
- Guilty
- Not Guilty
for each violation shown on your ticket.
- Please Note:
- You may enter a plea on each violation by signing the Reply Form and Schedule of Fines. Remember, only the person who received the ticket can sign the plea form. You can make your plea either in person or by mail.
Nolo Contendere (No Contest)
- A plea of nolo contendere means that you do not contest the charges filed against you and you are waiving your right to a trial by judge or jury. After you enter a “No Contest” plea, you generally have three options:
- Pay the fine specified for the violation. You may bring or mail the fine payment to the Court, or pay the fine using a credit card online. If you choose this option, you will be found guilty and the conviction will be reported to the Department of Public Safety to place on your driving record.
- You may be eligible to have your ticket dismissed upon successful completion of a driving safety course. You must respond on or before the appearance date of your ticket to be eligible for this option. Please see option 4: Reply Form and Schedule of Fines
- You may be eligible to have your ticket dismissed upon successful completion of deferred disposition. You must request this by mail or in person. Please see option 3: Reply Form and Schedule of Fines
Guilty
By entering a plea of guilty, you admit that the act is prohibited by law, that you committed the act charged, and you are waiving your right to a trial by judge or jury. The same options apply as “no contest”.
- If you choose this option, you will be found guilty and the conviction will be reported to the Department of Public Safety to place on your driving record.
- Please see option 1: Reply Form and Schedule of Fines
Not Guilty
A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the Court that you are not guilty of the offense in which you were accused.
- You must plead not guilty by the appearance date located on the bottom of the citation.
- Upon receipt of your plea, the court will notify you of your court date.
- When entering a plea of Not Guilty please inform the court whether you want a trial by judge or jury.
- Please see option 2: Reply Form and Schedule of Fines
Failure to Make a Plea
- Issue a warrant for your arrest (additional $50.00 fee)
- Charge the Standard Fine amount.
- Send a request to the Texas Department of Public Safety for Denial of Driver License Renewal and a $10.00 fee may be added
- Refer your case to a collection agency after 60 days with a possible 30% fee added to the amount owed.
Forms and Resources
Plea Form
Your decision on what plea to enter is the most important decision you will have to make. Whether you feel that you are guilty or not, we suggest that you read the Plea Form before making your decision. The form also contains the Schedule of Minimum Acceptable Fines.
