Your Rights in Municipal Court

Court Appearances
If you were issued a citation, your appearance date is noted on the citation (21 business days from the date of the citation). If you have been released on bond, your appearance date is set on the bond. If you request a continuance (read the specific section on continuances), the court will give you a new appearance date if it is granted. You or your attorney may appear in person in open court, by mail, or you may deliver your plea in person to the court. (Juveniles have a separate set of rules for their appearance. Please see Options for Disposition.

If you wish to contest your case and see the Prosecutor or you would like to appear before the Haltom City Municipal Court Judge you must appear in person to request a court date. Once it has gone to warrant, you must post a cash bond in order to secure a court date. Once you are before the Judge, if you waive your right to a jury trial and plead guilty or no contest, a fine will be assessed. You may request deferred disposition, defensive driving, or community service if you are found to be indigent. All fines are due that day.

Before pleading guilty or no contest you will want to read the section on pleas below.  Some things can be requested at the counter without having to go before the Judge.  Please see Options for Disposition for specific information.  The Judge legally cannot listen to facts of a case if you plead not guilty.  This would be considered ex-parte communication.  The Prosecutor is present at our court dockets in order to speak with you about your case(s).  If you come to an agreement with the Prosecutor, the Judge will either grant or deny the agreement.  If you do not come to an agreement, the court will schedule you for a Jury Trial unless you waive that right.  If you waive that right, you will be scheduled for a Bench Trial, both of which are discussed below.  When you make your appearance and plea of not guilty by mail, the court must receive your plea before your scheduled appearance date noted on the citation. .  The court will mail you back a court notice that you must complete and mail back to the court.  Please make sure that you give the court a complete mailing address       and phone number.  The court is not responsible for lost mail.

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