Finance/Municipal Court

The City of Deer Park's Municipal Court office is located at 1302 Center Street and staff may be contacted at 281-478-7238. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Court personnel may be able to answer questions that you have in reference to your citation or arrest.  However, during scheduled Court sessions the amount of time available to assist you is limited. If you wish to handle your citation or charge without coming to a court session ( excluding juveniles ), please make an appearance at any time other than a scheduled Court session.

 Pay Court Fine Online

NOTE: The Municipal Court does not answer any legal questions of any nature.  The personnel are allowed to explain Court proceedings and procedure only.  If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney.

Appearances
If a defendant does not answer to the charge on the citation on or before the appearance date on the ticket, additional criminal charges may be filed and a warrant for arrest may be issued for the defendant.

ONE RESET IS ALLOWED PER TICKET AND RESETS ARE NOT GRANTED OVER THE PHONE. DEFENDANTS MUST APPEAR TO SIGN THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK IN ORDER TO HAVE THE CASE RESET.

Driving Safety Courses

A defendant charged with a moving traffic violation of the state law may be eligible to take a driving safety course in order to have a ticket dismissed and not appear on the permanent driving record.  In order to take a driving safety course, a defendant must first have permission from the court to do so. Learn more...

Jurisdiction

The Municipal Court is the judicial branch of the city of Deer Park and handles all Class C misdemeanors, which include traffic and parking violations, assault, theft under $50, public intoxication, and violations of city ordinances. The court also handles all Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission ( TABC ) Class C violations.
The Municipal Court follows the procedures provided by the statute to afford all court participants the rights guaranteed them under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Texas.

Juveniles
Any person under the age of 17 years, and charged with a traffic or criminal violation, must appear in Court with a parent or legal guardian. Any person under the age of 18 years of age, and charged with an alcohol code violation, must appear in Court with a legal guardian. There are no exceptions to these laws.

Procedures
Each ticket issued sets an appearance date. It is very important that the defendant take action on the ticket on or before the appearance date shown on the ticket. Failure to appear may result in the filing of additional criminal charges, the issuance of an arrest warrant and the imposition of additional fines and costs.  At the time of the first court appearance, the defendant will be advised of his rights, advised of the charges pending against him, and he will enter a plea on the case. That plea will determine if there will be further proceedings on the case.

A plea of not guilty will result in the case being reset for trial either with a jury or without a jury. A jury of six members will be selected to hear each jury case. If the defendant is found not guilty, no fine or court costs are owed and no conviction is reported on the defendants record.  If the defendant is found guilty, a fine and court cost will be imposed and a conviction is reported.

The law provides that a defendant may enter a plea of guilty or no contest and have a hearing with or without a jury only on the issue of punishment. Generally, if a defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and either a fine is imposed or an alternative disposition of the case is entered.

If you are found to be guilty, you will be assessed a fine amount. The Judge may allow you a period of time to pay or you may be allowed to make partial payments.  Regardless of the option that is selected, you must make the required payments or return to the Court to appear before the Judge.  If you fail to make your payments or appear to speak with the Judge, a capias pro fine arrest warrant will be issued.