How to Handle a Citation
Please read the following options for how to handle your citation with the Addison Municipal Court.
Option #1: Plead No Contest or Guilty and Pay the Fine
In Person: You may appear at the Addison Municipal Court during business hours, 7:00am-4:30pm Monday through Thursday and Friday 7:00am-10:30am.
By Mail: Send a letter with your plea of no contest or guilty and mail it to the Addison Municipal Court with a check or money order. To avoid additional fees for late payment, the payment must be postmarked on or before the due date listed on the citation.
Online: Please see Payment Options for information on how to make your payment using our online payment system. This option is available 24 hours every day. Please note that when you make a voluntary payment online, you will forfeit any right to request a Driving Safety Course or Deferred Disposition.
If you are unable to pay the fine and cost for any reason, you should come to court to explain those reasons to the Judge.
Option #2: Request a Driving Safety Course (DSC) or Motorcycle Operator Training Course in Person or Online
You may be eligible to have the citation dismissed by taking a Driving Safety Course (or a Motorcycle Operator Training Course if you were operating a motorcycle at the time you received the citation.) To protect this right, you must appear in person or request Driving Safety Course online.
Option #3: Request Deferred Disposition in Person or Online
You may be eligible to have a citation dismissed by requesting Deferred Disposition in person or online on or before the response date on the front of your citation.
Option #4: Plead Not Guilty and Request a Trial
If you wish to plead not guilty, you and/or your attorney must appear in person at the Addison Municipal Court on or before the response date listed on the citation. Court hearings cannot be scheduled by telephone.
In Person: Appear in person to set a court date for a plea hearing. At this hearing, you will discuss your options with the Judge.
By Mail: You may also enter a plea of not guilty by mail. To do so, you must write a letter to the Court and include the following documents with your letter:
- Copy of Driver's License
- Copy of the Citation
Your plea by mail cannot be processed without these documents. Once received, the Court will set a pre-trial hearing date and notify you by mail.
Any requests for discovery under Art. 39.14 TCCP must be in writing.
Please note: If you plead not guilty, go to trial, and are found guilty, the Deferred Disposition and Driving Safety Course options are no longer available.
Consequences of Ignoring a Citation
Failure to complete one of the four options listed within 30 days from the date of the citation can immediately result in the following actions taken against the offender:
- An arrest warrant may be issued, at which time the fine amount can automatically be assessed the maximum allowed by law PLUS court costs and fees. If an arrest warrant is issued, the defendant will be subject to arrest at home, place of business, or wherever he/she may be found. In addition, we use a Collection Agency which would add an extra fee of 30% to the total.
- A request may be submitted by the Court to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the denial of driver license renewal if you have not appeared to answer the charges.
Inability to Pay a Fine is Not an Excuse for Failure to Respond
If you are unable to pay the fine and cost for any reason you should come to court to explain those reasons to the Judge. A form(PDF, 167KB) is attached to provide information to the Judge which will be considered in determining whether you should pay.
Special Instruction for Juveniles
Texas State Law requires that juveniles (age 10-16) must appear in person with a parent or legal guardian for a court hearing, regardless of the offense. For tobacco and/or alcohol offenses, any defendant under the age of 18 must appear with a parent or legal guardian. A court appearance is also required by juveniles and their parent to request a Driving Safety Course or Deferred Disposition.
Attention
Nothing contained herein is intended to be nor should be construed as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The information on this site is compiled and made available as a public service by the Addison Municipal Court. However, neither the Court nor the Town of Addison makes any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information herein, and is not responsible for errors or omissions, or for results obtained from the use of this information.